MC:F38 Papers of A. L. F. Smith (Fellow 1908-20)
Introduction
Arthur Lionel Forster Smith (1880-1972), usually called Lionel, was the son of A.L. Smith, Master of Balliol 1916-1924. He had been an undergraduate at Balliol in 1899-1903, and a Fellow of All Souls in 1904-1907, before becoming a Fellow of Magdalen in 1908-1920. During the First World War he served in India and Mesopotamia, and in 1920-1931 he was Director and Advisor of Education in Iraq, and from 1931-1945 was Rector of Edinburgh Academy. Oliver Wrong (F. 1914-1916 and 1920-1928) was his brother-in-law, and some photocopies of his correspondence from Wrong’s papers can be found at MC:P95. Most of Smith’s other papers are held at the Middle East Centre in St. Antony’s College, Oxford
These papers, which relate to Smith’s dealings with Edward VIII when, as Prince of Wales, he was an undergraduate at Magdalen in 1912-14 and was taught by Smith, were given to Magdalen College by Smith’s stepson, Robin Hodgkin, in 1963.
Recatalogued in June 2011.
MC:F38/P1 – PHOTOGRAPH
MC:F38/P1/1 1914
Framed photograph of Edward VIII, signed “Edward Oxford 1914”. Taken by Gillman & Co.
MC:F38/C1 – CORRESPONDENCE
MC:F38/C1/1 30 Jan 1936
Framed telegram from Edward VIII to Smith thanking him for his good wishes (presumably sent on Edward’s accession ten days earlier).
MC:F38/X1 – ROWING SASH
MC:F38/X1/1 n.d. (c. 1912-14?)
Rowing sash, made in Magdalen College Boat Club colours (bright red satin ribbon embroidered with three Magdalen lilies). This sash was evidently sent to the College with MC:F38/P1/1 and MC:F38/C1/1 above, and therefore presumably was linked with Edward VIII in some way, but there is no documentation to prove this one way or the other.
