Smith, John Thomas

John Thomas Smith (1766-1833) was a London draughtsman, etcher, engraver and historian. He produced Plan of part of Westminster as it was in the time of Richard the Second and other plans, some engraved by himself, others by Richard Sawyer, for his "Antiquities of Westminster" (1807-1809) which is regarded as his masterpiece; this is our main source of information for the appearance of the palace of Westminster before the fire of 1834, and of the Abbey precincts before the clearance of its alleys and rookeries. Many copies of this work were destroyed by fire. He also compiled, published and illustrated "Antiquities of London and environs" (1791-1800); "Ancient topography of London" (1810-1815), etc. Known as "Antiquity" Smith, he was born in a hackney-carriage bound for his family home in Great Portland Street, London. In 1816 he was appointed Keeper of Prints & Drawings at the British Museum.