Sir George Thomas Smart (10 May 1776 – 23 February 1867) was an English musician.
Smart was born in London, his father being a music-seller. He was a choir-boy at the Chapel Royal, and was educated in music, becoming an expert violinist, organist, teacher of singing and conductor.[1] He taught for many years at the Royal Academy of Music where his notable pupils included Elizabeth Greenfield, John Orlando Parry, Mary Shaw, and Willoughby Weiss.[citation needed] In 1811 he was knighted by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, having conducted a number of successful concerts in Dublin. On 1 April 1822 he was appointed organist at the Chapel Royal.[1]
From that time onwards, Sir George Smart was one of the chief musical leaders and organizers in England, directing the music for the opening of the Great Exhibition of 1851,[citation needed] conducting at the Royal Philharmonic Society, Covent Garden, the provincial festivals, etc., and in 1838 being appointed composer to the Chapel Royal. He was a master of the Handelian traditions, was personally acquainted with Beethoven and a close friend of Weber, who died in his house. Some of his church music and glees became well-known.[1] He died in London and is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.[2]
His brother Henry (1778–1823), father of the composers Harriet Anne Smart and Henry Smart, was a well-known violinist.
Smart wrote a journal, Leaves from the Journals of Sir George Smart, that was published in 1907.
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