Samuel Smith was the founder of

Smiths Group Smiths Group plc is a British, multinational, diversified engineering business headquartered in London, England. It operates in over 50 countries and employs 14,600 staff. Smiths Group has its origins in a jewellery shop, ''S Smith & Sons'', ...

, one of the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

's largest engineering businesses.

Career

Trained as a craftsman, Samuel Smith opened his first shop in Newington Causeway, in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, in 1851.Grace's Guide: Smiths Group
/ref> His business expanded rapidly, as he gained a reputation for offering a fast and friendly service. This enabled him to open a second shop in 1871. He had a son, also named Samuel, who developed the business to manufacture clocks and dials for automobiles. Samuel Smith Snr. died in 1875.South Alabama British Car Club

References

1875 deaths British company founders British watchmakers (people) Year of birth unknown {{UK-business-bio-stub