Publisher's Synopsis
Smith, Sir (William) Sidney (1764-1840), naval officer, was born on 21 June 1764 in Park Lane, London, the second son of John Smith of Midgham, Berkshire, a captain in the guards and gentleman-usher to Queen Charlotte, wife of George III; he was also grandson of Edward Smith, an army officer who was governor of Fort Charles at Kingston, Jamaica, and fought under Wolfe at Quebec.
The author tells the story of Sir Sidney's brilliant career and attempts to invalidate the claims of historians before him. Of his subject he writes that 'poems were written in his honour, and ladies shed tears over his suffering and his gallantry.' He received honorary degrees from Oxford and Cambridge, and eminent noblemen such as the Grand Vizier treated him with the utmost respect, and Turks, Egyptians and Greeks spoke of his legend thanks to his efforts as a sailor and ingenious thinker.
The author's portrait shows that Sir Sidney Smith was the one man, above all others and in an age of great men including Nelson and Lord Wellington, who could second-guess Napoleon and warn the British government what their foe would do next.
