Smart, HENRY

Smart, HENRY, composer (nephew of Sir G. T. Smart, 1776–1867, organist to the Chapel Royal), was born in 1813 and educated for the law. But in 1831 he became an organist, and as such was soon famous. As a composer he possessed a true vein of melody, and a symmetrical and elegant style, his church music (e.g. Ave Maria) and his part songs (e.g. Lady, rise) being his best-known works. An opera, The Gnome of Hartzburg; a secular cantata, The Bride of Dunkerron (1864); and a sacred cantata, Jacob, were his most ambitious compositions. He died 6th July 1879, not having survived to enjoy a civil list pension of £100 that had been granted to him. A Life by Dr Sparks was published in 1880.