William George Smart (1824-1883)
1884 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM GEORGE SMART was born at St. Malo, in France, on the 15th of April, 1824.
After receiving an ordinary scholastic education he graduated in the Engineering School of Trinity College, Dublin. He was then for four years engaged as a Resident Engineer on the Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway.
In December 1854 he was appointed as a Resident Engineer of the highest class on the Madras Railway. Here Mr. Smart gained the full confidence of those under whom he acted. He was employed on the laying out of the Bangalore branch and the North-West line, as well as in the construction of works without the intervention of contractors.
He resigned his appointment in 1861; but in September of 1862 he was re-appointed, this time as Chief Engineer of the Madras Railway, and returned to India. Mr. Smart held this office with great advantage to his employers till January 1868, when he finally left their service.
After remaining in England for nearly three years, Mr. Smart was appointed by Mr. George B. Bruce, Vice-President Inst. C. E., in October 1871, Resident Engineer of the East Argentine Railway, which post he held until April 1875, when, on the completion of the railway, he was made by the directors Engineer and General Manager of the Company in South America. He had held this post for more than eight years, enjoying during the time the fullest confidence of his board, while he was justly esteemed as the chief supporter and head of the English community at Concordia, Entre Rios, when he was suddenly stricken with paralysis on the 1st of October, 1883, and died six days later, to the great grief of his friends and relations.
Mr. Smart was a most genial companion, a true and sincere friend, sound in his judgment and cautious in his advice; his sense of honour was of the highest standard.
He was elected a Member of the Institution on the 4th of March, 1862.