Abel Smith

Who was Abel Smith?

Abel Smith JP was an English landowner of the Smith banking family and Conservative politician.

Smith was the son of Abel Smith and his wife Frances Anne Calvert. His father was MP for various constituencies, and his mother was the daughter of General Sir Harry Calvert.

Smith was elected Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire in 1854 but lost the seat in 1857. His father died in 1859 and he inherited the 11,000-acre estate of Woodhall Park, Hertfordshire and various other properties. He was re-elected for Hertfordshire in 1859 and lost the seat again in 1865. In 1866 he was elected for Hertfordshire again, holding the seat until the constituency was abolished in 1885. In 1885 he was elected MP for Hertford, and held the seat until his death. Smith was also lord of the manor of Rennesley and Justice of the Peace.

Smith married Lady Susan Emma Pelham, daughter Henry Thomas Pelham, 3rd Earl of Chichester on 7 April 1853. Their son Abel Henry Smith was subsequently MP for Hertford.