Frederick Bennett Smith

• Born       21 March 1863 at Heaton Norris
• Baptism   3 May 1863 at St Mary, Stockport
• Married    Sarah
• Died        unknown

The third son of the John Thompson Smith, estate agent and auctioneer and his wife Jane, Frederick Bennett Smith was born at Heaton Norris, Stockport, on 21 March 1863. He was educated at Manchester Grammar School (1st prize ever given for painting, 1878) before being articled to Peter B. Alley, of Manchester. In January 1886 he entered into partnership with Alfred Darbyshire, FSA., FRIBA under the style of Darbyshire and Smith. The partnership was responsible for a number of major projects including  Old Manchester and Salford at the Manchester Jubilee Exhibition, 1887; Exeter Theatre, after the disaster in 1887; Palace of Varieties, Manchester; Glossop Library; Ordsall Hall restoration and church for Earl Egerton of Tatton ; Galtee Castle, Ireland; various Reform and Conservative clubs; schools ; business premises and private residences, amongst the latter his own house at Heaton Mersey. The partnership continued until 1905 (DNB) or 1908 (Rhyl Journal) after which he practised on his own account.

He was elected Fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects, June 5th, 1893.