Cornelius Smelt
| Cornelius Smelt | |
|---|---|
1826 portrait by Thomas Barber.
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| 5th Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man | |
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In office 1805–1832 |
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| Monarch |
George III George IV William IV |
| Preceded by | Lord Henry Murray |
| Succeeded by | John Ready |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Cornelius Smelt August 1748 |
| Died | 28 November 1832 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Trant Ottley Anne Hale |
| Relations | Leonard Smelt |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army
|
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit |
14th Regiment of Foot 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot |
| Battles/wars | American War of Independence |
Cornelius Smelt (August 1748 – 28 November 1832) was an administrator who served as Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man from 1805 until his death in 1832, the longest governorship in the history of the Island. An officer in the British Army, he served first with the 14th Regiment of Foot and then the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot, acting as Deputy Governor of Southsea Castle in the late 18th century. His governorship of the Isle of Man is remembered as one in which he displayed great moral courage in difficult circumstances. His wisdom and fortitude in the long period when the House of Keys and the Duke of Atholl fought their historic political battles were also evident. Upon his death, a memorial was erected in Castletown in the Isle of Man.
Cornelius Smelt was born in August 1748 in Upper Swaledale, Yorkshire, as the second son of William Smelt and Dorothy Cayley.Smelt's uncle, Leonard Smelt of Langton, North Yorkshire, was Sub-Governor to the Prince of Wales the later King George IV, and he sent his nephew to a military academey.
Smelt served in the British Army, beginning his career with the 14th Regiment of Foot, and was promoted to lieutenant on 2 March 1772. Four years later, on 9 July 1776, he was gazetted to the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Footwith whom he saw action in various campaigns during the American War of Independence. On 17 July 1787, as a captain, he was assigned as Deputy Governor of Southsea Castle.Smelt's military career spanned forty six years, including his time as a member of the North Yorkshire Militia.
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