REFUGE

Composer: Henry Thomas Smart

Henry Thomas Smart (26 October 1813 – 6 July 1879) was an English organist and composer. Smart was born in London, a nephew of the conductor Sir George Smart. He studied first for the law, but soon gave this up for music. In 1831 he became organist of Blackburn parish church, where he wrote his first important work, a Reformation anthem; then of St Giles-without-Cripplegate; St Luke's, Old Street; and finally of St Pancras New Church, in 1864, which last post he held at the time of his death, less than a month after receiving a government pension of £100 per annum. Smart was also skilled as a mechanic, and designed several organs. Smart was highly rated as a composer by his English contemporaries, but is now remembered only by a fe… Go to person page >