The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-06-08
Born an Englishman.

Goodwin Smith. essayist. refOrTner. his
torian. and philosopher. was born at
Raeding. Berkshire county. England,
August u. 1S23. At an early age he en-
tered Elton and later attended oxford.
in 1877 he was elected a fellow Of Uni
versity COLLEGE and during the three
ensuing wears he was engaged there as
a tutor
In 1850 he was called to the bar. but
was destined never to practice. for lust
a this time ne became interested in a
reform commission which was being
organized TO effect a number of changes
in the university system then prevailing
in the large English institutions. He
served as assistant secretary TO the first
Of these commissions and as secretary
10 the second
Wide and radical changes were
wrought By this commission in spite of
the indignant protest Of practically all
ENGLAND.
From 1858 to 1856 he was regius pro-
fessor Of modern history at Oxford. and
during the following two years IecUured
throughout the British empire on dues-
lions Of political reform.
Although born and educated an Eng
lishman he was in almost every essen
Jial empatically un-English. Not that
he was unpatriotic. but that his views
differed radically on most subjects Of
moment from those Of the average Eng
hshman.
From his first public service until his
death he was at daggers with his ma
tive land on important questions almost
continually. The Institutions, customs,
and manners of oxford, so dear to the
Itch h.
change or abolish. To him the cause
OF the South in the American civil war
was an unjust one and he took issue
with the leading thinkers of England
and with popular British opinion on the
subject
Opposed Englard's Foreign Policy.
The foreign policy OF England he was
strenUously opposed TO and he was con-
tnuaIIy engaged in crusade of in
ternaI political reform And although
the effects Of his efforts sometimes were
inappreciable, ultimately many OF his
policies and remedies for existing evils
were adopted
In 1865 he came to America as profess
sOr OF English at Cornell University.
Three years later he resigned the chair
and removed 10 Toronto, where he was
made regent Of the University Of Tor
several leading peTiOdicals-The can
adam Monthly. The Nation, and the
Toronto Weekly-alI Of which enjoyed
wide circulation and We're the subject
Of a great deal of comment and Criti-
Cism.
Mr.. Smith was one Of the first 10 ad-
vance the theory that history Is not
governed by the law OF necessity. but
that all progress has been the direct
result Of individual effort.
AS a historian he has thrown a great
deal Of light on the relations between
England and Ireland, claiming that the
contest is primarily a struggle on the
In their own land He was one OF the
most prolific writer's Of the times and
his works, historical, philosophical, and
political, would fill a modest library.
Some of His Writings.
The following are some Of his best
writings: Lectures on Modern History.
delivered at oxford, 1859 and 1861: Irish
History and Irish Character; The EN-
pire; Speeches and Letters: The Po-
htical Destiny of Canada; Dismember-
ment no Remedy, con Home RuleJ:
History of the United States and Essays
on Questions Of the Day.
Mr.. Smith was a firm believer in the
physical affinity Of nations. and con
fdently predicted that Canada would
ultimately merge with the United
States.
Mr. Smith was called the last Of the
great agnOStiCs. It is understood that
a provision in his VIII beQueathS his
brain 10 Cornell University, where Prof
Burt Green Wilder has Tor many years
been engaged in the collection of the
brains Of hundred celebrated men for
study.