Edwin Thomas Smith

Sir Edwin Thomas Smith KCMG (6 April 1830 – 25 December 1919)[1] was an English-born South Australian brewer, businessman, councillor, mayor, politician and philanthropist.

[citation needed] In 1853 Smith emigrated to South Australia aboard the California[1] and began business as an importer of ironmongery at Adelaide, initially collaborating with his cousin James Alexander Holden.

[citation needed] Smith entered parliament in 1871 as member for East Torrens in the South Australian House of Assembly, and except for a year while he was visiting England, continued to represent this constituency until he retired in 1893.

Though an active member of parliament, he was not anxious for office, and only once was included in a government; he was Minister for Education in the Bray ministry from March to June 1884.

[7] He was, however, responsible for some useful legislation including a first offenders act, and he took a leading part in the promotion of the Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition of 1887–88.

[citation needed] Smith died of a cerebral haemorrhage on 25 December 1919 at his home, "The Acacias", in the eastern suburb of Marryatville.

[10] When the Norwood Football Club decided in December 2005 to set up a "Hall of Fame", Smith was appointed one of the 10 non-playing inaugural members.

Smith bought the property on the corner of Portrush and Kensington Roads, known as The Acacias, in 1878 and made extensive additions and alterations to it.