SMITH, Adam (fl.1756-1774) — London
Engraver & draughtsman. Engraved Plan of Dunnington [Donnington] Castle and other plates for Francis Grose, ‘The antiquities of England and Wales’ 1773-1776. Also known for illustrations, views, portraits, botanical plates, satires, etc., some from his own designs. Plates dating from the 1780s signed “A. Smith” are more likely the work of Anker Smith (1759-1819).
Born, probably in London, about 1737. Apprenticed (Goldsmiths 7/175) to John Tinney (see BME 2011) for seven years 8 May 1752, for a consideration of £24, of which £18 was paid by the stewards of the “Sons of the Clergy” — then recorded as the son of Thomas Smith, clerk, of the parish of St. Andrew Holborn. Active as an engraver from 1756. In 1763, he was listed as an “engraver in general, but more particularly of anatomy, and of flowers and fossils”. Exhibited seven engravings at the Royal Academy 1768-1770, and other drawings and engravings at the Free Society in those same years. Presumably the Adam Smith “who lodges at Mr. Cadells bookseller in the Strand” mentioned in a letter from Lord Stanhope to Lovell Stanhope 28 Nov 1773 (Nottinghamshire Archives).
Surrey Street, Strand — 1763
Mr. Furmstone’s, Great Wild Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields — 1768-1770
Adams. Alexander. BBTI. BM. Graves (1901) (1907). Goldsmiths. Hake. Hammelmann. Henrey. LHD. LMA. Maxted (1984). NA.