I’m one of the kindred of the Henry Smith Foundation. In the 1940s, it helped my father with a grant to go to university which undoubtedly made a huge difference to his life. One of the amazing things is that they have the whole family tree right back to Henry Smith’s sister which is a lovely thing to have.
What a great piece of research and storytelling. I've been dilly-dallying about becoming a paid subscriber for months but this clinched it. Your Inspiring and important reporting about London is much needed. Keep up the great work in 2026!
Fantastic article. I was worried there was going to be a "Henry Smith went bankrupt and got bailed out by the Henry Smith Foundation" twist - glad it didn't materialise!
A great read, thank you. I'm pretty sure I'd heard of the Henry Smith Charity, I may even have helped groups apply for a grant to them, but had no idea of this background.
It’s worth looking at what they do fund and their modern mission statement… and trying to understand whether any of it would make sense to Henry Smith in 1627. And whether that even matters. Social and moral attitudes can change in a matter of years, trying to keep track over 400 years is perhaps futile.
Similar ancient charities have an immense impact on modern life. Greenwich Hospital, for instance, has few friends among long-established local businesses forced out by escalating rents to turn the old centre into a tourist and multiple-store haven.
I’m one of the kindred of the Henry Smith Foundation. In the 1940s, it helped my father with a grant to go to university which undoubtedly made a huge difference to his life. One of the amazing things is that they have the whole family tree right back to Henry Smith’s sister which is a lovely thing to have.
Fascinating article. We need more writing like yours. London has so many unknown stories.
Thank you. What a marvelous intertwining of the two stories
What a great piece of research and storytelling. I've been dilly-dallying about becoming a paid subscriber for months but this clinched it. Your Inspiring and important reporting about London is much needed. Keep up the great work in 2026!
Fantastic article, thank you. But a warning to others - do not google Brogan Garrit-Smith without blood pressure tablets/ a sick bucket handy.
Fantastic article. I was worried there was going to be a "Henry Smith went bankrupt and got bailed out by the Henry Smith Foundation" twist - glad it didn't materialise!
A great read, thank you. I'm pretty sure I'd heard of the Henry Smith Charity, I may even have helped groups apply for a grant to them, but had no idea of this background.
It’s worth looking at what they do fund and their modern mission statement… and trying to understand whether any of it would make sense to Henry Smith in 1627. And whether that even matters. Social and moral attitudes can change in a matter of years, trying to keep track over 400 years is perhaps futile.
What a brilliant piece of research!
What a very fine piece of reporting. This is why I subscribe to London Centric. Happy new year.
Could become an HBO doc
Similar ancient charities have an immense impact on modern life. Greenwich Hospital, for instance, has few friends among long-established local businesses forced out by escalating rents to turn the old centre into a tourist and multiple-store haven.
Fantastic research and telling of the two stories. The long arm of history is a thing to wonder at.
Just to say, I love how this article intertwined the tales of two very separate men, old and anew!
Love the weaving of threads. And the comment from one of 16thC H Smiths descendants
Fascinating piece! Excellent research and writing as always.
Very interesting article, not least because I am personally at the mercy of the modern day Henry Smiths self serving business practices.
jim@londoncentric.media if you want to talk!