Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1875-1898 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
typescript copy diary , 1 microfilm, 1 folder of documents
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
James Smith (1827-1897) was born in George Town, son of John and Mary Ann (Grant) Smith. His father was shot when he was aged 5 and he was taken under the guardianship of John Guillan, a Launceston merchant and mill owner. After working in the mill, and then exploring the country west of the Tamar and prospecting for gold in Victoria, James Smith settled on land at the River Forth, and planted orchards. He discovered silver ore on Mt. Claud near Sheffield and, in December 1871, tin at Mount Bischoff and began mining in 1872 and in 1873 the Mt. Bischoff Tin Mining Company was formed. He then then returned to farming at "Westwood", Forth, and extended his property but continued to take an interest in mining and prospecting, having a laboratory built at his his home. He also took part in public affairs. He married Mary Jane (Pleas) in 1874 and had 6 chidren. He was widely known by the nickname "Philosopher" but the origin is not known. He read a lot and was a strict Christian and member of the Congregational Church, resigning from the Town Hall Committee over a proposal that a museum should be open on Sundays. For more information see http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/smith-james-philosopher-4605
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Some original documents (diary & letters) held in the Archives Office of Tasmania.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Collection consists of copies of a diary, letters and official documents relating to James Smith.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open for research
Conditions governing reproduction
This material is made available for personal research and study purposes under the University of Tasmania Standard Copyright Licence. For any further use permission should be obtained from the copyright owners. For assistance please contact Special.Collections@utas.edu.au
When reusing this material, please cite the reference number and provide the following acknowledgement:
“Courtesy of the UTAS Library Special & Rare Collections”
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Existence and location of originals
Original material held at the Tasmanian Archives and Heritage Office
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Held TAHO : Diary of James Smith NS234/1/1/1 https://stors.tas.gov.au/AI/NS234-1-1-1
Publication note
Haygarth, Nic (Nicholas Paul) 2003 , 'The "Father of Tasmania"? : measuring the legend of James "Philosopher" Smith', PhD thesis, University of Tasmania. https://eprints.utas.edu.au/20543/
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Dates of creation revision deletion
CE October 2018