Cornelius Smelt (August 1748 – 28 November 1832) was an administrator who served as Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man from 1805 until his death in 1832, the longest governorship in the history of the Island.

[5][6] Smelt's military career spanned forty six years, including his time as a member of the North York Militia (major 1797, lieutenant-colonel 1803, shortly before his retirement).

He was appointed as "Inspecting Field-Officer of Fencibles and Volunteers in the Isle of Man" on 26 October 1805, granting him the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel.

[1] On December 7, 1812, the Duke wrote a letter to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, complaining that Smelt: "gave a peremptory refusal contrary to all right and precedent to give me as Governor the accommodation of the Governor's House within the walls of Castle Rushen, and without accommodation I cannot attend upon my public duty in health and comfort to meet and provide for the present state of society and the welfare of his Majesty's subjects by such new and suitable provisions and enactments.

Smelt replied to Lord Sidmouth stating that Atholl could use the Courthouse in Douglas, which was deemed better than Castle Rushen, for the Chancery Courts.

Frankland declared in a letter to the Home office that Governor Smelt was: "an old soldier and gentleman of the old school - composed, discreet, courteous, affable, yet firm and resolute.

[1] He died in office on 28 November 1832 at Castle Rushen, and was buried under the altar at St Mary's Church in Castletown, his funeral was conducted by the Rector of Ballaugh, the Reverend Hugh Stowell,[1] the oration stating: "Never since the days of good Bishop Wilson has the Island had to mourn the loss of a more justly esteemed and popular man.

[1] At the meeting a resolution was passed to commission a portrait of Governor Smelt, the artist engaged being Thomas Barber; the sum of £52 being raised through subscription.

[1] Governor Smelt, however, did not desire that his memory should not be: "transmitted to posterity in this way,[1]" and in a letter addressed to Colonel Wilks he declined having his portrait placed in the Keys Chamber, which was then situated in Parliament Square, Castletown.