S. Talbot Smith facts for kids
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Sydney Talbot Smith (born April 21, 1861 – died October 3, 1948) was an important lawyer and journalist in South Australia. He lived during a time when South Australia was first a British colony and then became a state within Australia. He was also known for his love of sports and the arts, and for being a popular voice on the radio.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sydney Talbot Smith was born in Burnside, South Australia in 1861. He was the only son of Edwin Thomas Smith, who later became Sir Edwin Thomas Smith. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was a baby. His father then took Sydney and his older sister to England. They were raised by relatives in Staffordshire while his father returned to his many businesses in South Australia.
Sydney went to school at Tettenhall College in Wolverhampton, England. He then studied law at Cambridge University, earning several degrees. In June 1885, he officially became a lawyer.
A Passion for Arts and Sports
While at Cambridge, Sydney loved exploring the arts. He went to many plays and art shows in big cities like London and Manchester. He developed a strong interest in books and music. He became very good at debating, playing the piano and organ, and singing in choirs. He even wrote articles for British magazines.
Sydney was also a very active sportsman. He enjoyed swimming, rowing, running, and hiking. He played and followed sports like lacrosse, cricket, and soccer. He learned different languages and enjoyed games like billiards, cards, and chess. During his summer breaks, he traveled around America and Europe. All these activities did not stop him from studying hard, thanks to his amazing memory and strong work ethic.
Career as a Lawyer and Journalist
After finishing his studies, Sydney Talbot Smith returned to Adelaide, South Australia. He started working with his uncle, William Frederick Stock, who was also a lawyer. Their firm was called Stock & Talbot Smith. However, Sydney was more interested in sports and the arts than in practicing law.
He soon found work as a freelance journalist, which he enjoyed more and was probably better paid. For 50 years, he was the sports and theatre writer for The Bulletin magazine. He also wrote main articles and reviews for newspapers like The Advertiser and the South Australian Register.
When his uncle, William Stock, was elected to the House of Assembly in 1887, Sydney began practicing law on his own from 1891, mostly as a solicitor.
Personal Life and Values
In 1887, Sydney married Florence Oliver Chettle. They had a modest home in Kensington Park and a busy social life. Sydney did not seem to care much about being rich. During World War I (1914–1918), he wrote about 4,000 wills for soldiers for free. When his father left him only a small part of his large fortune, Sydney was not upset. He felt he had already benefited greatly from his father's generosity when he was younger, which was when it mattered most to him.
Sadly, Florence died in 1935 after a car accident. Sydney was driving the car, and Florence was a passenger.
Public Life and Interests
Many people knew Sydney Talbot Smith from the weekly radio show "Information Please" on Radio 5AD. This show ran from 1940 to 1949. It was broadcast live with an audience, and "experts" like Sydney tried to answer questions sent in by listeners. Other experts on the show included Dr. J. J. Bray and Steve McKee.
Sydney was also involved in many other important groups:
- He was the chairman of the advisory committee for the Commonwealth Literary Fund, which supports writers.
- He served as president of the Public Library, Art Gallery and Museum Board. When this group split, he became the chairman of the Public Library Board.
- He was the president of the Adelaide Repertory Theatre, a theatre group.
- He was the vice-president of the South Australian School of Arts and Crafts.
- For over 20 years, he was a member of the University of Adelaide Council and its Finance Committee.
- In 1905, he was president of the South Australian Literary Societies' Union.
- He was president and patron of cricket, lacrosse, and football associations in East Torrens.
- He was president of the Amateur Athletic Association.
- He was a member of the ground and finance committee for the SA Cricket Association.
Recognition
For all his contributions, Sydney Talbot Smith was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1941. This is a special honor given for great achievements.
Family
Sydney Talbot Smith and Florence Oliver Chettle had four children:
- Guy Talbot Smith (born 1888) married Mary Goldworth Tilemann in 1916. They lived in Coromandel Valley, South Australia.
- Eric W. (Wilkes) Talbot Smith (born 1892) was sadly killed in 1915 during the war at Gallipoli.
- Donald Oliver Lang Smith (born 1894), later known as Don Talbot Smith.
- Bruce Talbot Smith (born 1900) married Gladys Louise Brown in 1923 and later Hazel Lilah Crafter in 1931. He was a sharebroker and owned property in the Inman Valley, South Australia.
