Smith, Sir James Edward, born at Norwich Dec. 2, 1759; died March 17, 1828. A distinguished botanist, and President of the Linnaean Society from its foundation in 1788 to the time of his death. He was knighted when the Prince Regent became, in 1814, a Patron of the Society. Smith studied medicine at Edinburgh, and, in 1786, graduated as a physician at Leyden. After further travels abroad he finally settled down at Norwich in 1797. He published English Botany in 36 vols. (beginning in 1790) and various other botanical works. He was also a large contributor to Rees's Encyclopaedia. The friend of Dr. Enfield and John Taylor, he was also a member of the congregation meeting in the Octagon Chapel, Norwich, and a subscriber to the British and For… Go to person page >