Percy Smythe, 6th Viscount Strangford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Viscount Strangford
GCB GCH
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The 6th Viscount Strangford in a miniature by William Haines, c. 1808.
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| British Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia | |
| In office 1825–1826 |
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| Monarch | George IV |
| Preceded by | Edward Thornton |
| Succeeded by | Edward Cromwell Disbrowe |
| British Ambassador to Ottoman Turkey | |
| In office 1820–1824 |
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| Monarch | George IV |
| Preceded by | Bartholomew Frere |
| Succeeded by | William Turner |
| British Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Sweden | |
| In office 1817–1820 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Preceded by | Edward Thornton |
| Succeeded by | Baron FitzGerald |
| British Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Portugal | |
| In office 1806–1808 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Preceded by | Earl of Rosslyn and Earl of St Vincent |
| Succeeded by | Earl of Clarendon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 August 1780 |
| Died | 29 May 1855 (aged 74) |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouses |
Ellen Burke
(m. 1817; |
| Children | 8, including George, Percy and Lionel |
| Parents | Lionel Smythe, 5th Viscount Strangford Maria Eliza Philipse |
| Relatives | Frederick Philipse III (grandfather) Sir John Burke, 2nd Baronet (brother-in-law) |
| Education | Harrow School |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Dublin |
Percy Clinton Sydney Smythe (born August 31, 1780, died May 29, 1855) was an important diplomat from Ireland and Britain. He held the title of the 6th Viscount Strangford.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Percy Smythe was the son of Lionel Smythe, the 5th Viscount Strangford, and Maria Eliza Philipse. His father had served in the army during the American War of Independence. While in New York, he met Maria Philipse.
Maria's father, Frederick Philipse III, was a wealthy landowner. He was a Loyalist during the war, meaning he supported the British. When his land was taken by the New York government, he agreed to their marriage.
Percy's parents married in 1779 and moved back to the United Kingdom. His grandfather, Frederick Philipse, also moved to England later.
Percy went to Harrow School and then studied at Trinity College, Dublin. He finished college in 1800 and soon after joined the diplomatic service. In 1801, he became the 6th Viscount Strangford.
He also enjoyed literature. In 1803, he published a book of poems translated from Portuguese. The famous poet Lord Byron even mentioned him.
Diplomatic Career Highlights
Percy Smythe had a long and important career as a diplomat. He represented Britain in several countries.
Serving in Portugal
In 1806, he began working as a diplomat in Portugal. The next year, he was made the official British Envoy to Portugal. This was during the time of King George III.
A major event happened in 1807. Lord Strangford helped the Portuguese royal family escape from Portugal to Brazil. They had to leave because Napoleon's army was invading. This was a very important move to keep the Portuguese government safe.
He arrived in Brazil with the royal family in 1808. He worked hard to manage the money that had been moved from Portugal. This money was vital for Portugal's future.
Working in Sweden
From 1817 to 1820, Lord Strangford served as the British Envoy to Sweden. He worked there during the reigns of King Charles XIII and King Charles XIV John.
Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire
In 1820, Lord Strangford became the British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. This was a very important role. He helped to make sure a new agreement between the Ottoman Empire and the Danubian Principalities was successful.
He also convinced the Ottomans to remove their troops from the Principalities. This helped prevent Russia from getting involved in a military conflict.
While in Turkey, he collected ancient Greek sculptures. One famous piece from his collection is the "Strangford Shield." It is a Roman marble copy of a shield from a famous Greek statue. This shield is now kept in the British Museum. He left Turkey in 1824.
Role in Russia
From 1825 to 1826, he was the British Ambassador to Russia, serving in St. Petersburg. During this time, he was given a new title: Baron Penshurst. This allowed him to be a member of the House of Lords in the British Parliament.
However, his diplomatic career ended after some difficulties in his role.
Family Life
In 1817, Percy Smythe married Ellen Burke Browne. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Burke. Percy and Ellen had five children together.
- George Augustus Frederick Percy Sydney Smythe (1818–1857)
- Philippa Eliza Sydney Smythe (1819–1854)
- Lionel Philip Thomas Henry Smythe (1821–1834), who sadly died young.
- Louisa Ellen Frances Augusta Smythe (1823–1852)
- Percy Ellen Algernon Frederick William Sydney Smythe (1825–1862)
- Ellen Sydney Smythe (died 1852)
After his wife Ellen passed away in 1826, Percy Smythe had three more children with Katherine Benham. One of their children, Lionel Percy Smythe, became a well-known artist.
When Percy Smythe died on May 29, 1855, his eldest son, George, became the 7th Viscount Strangford.
Awards and Recognition
Percy Smythe received several important honors during his life.
- In 1815, he was made a Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB).
- In 1825, he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order (GCH).
- In February 1825, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a group of important scientists.
A special window in his family's church in Ashford, Kent, remembers him. It lists the kings he served and the countries where he worked as a diplomat.
