Laura Alexandrine Smith (1861–1902)[1] was an English musician,[2] ethnomusicologist[3] and one of the earliest collectors of sea shanties.

[2] She had been commissioned by the editor of The Shipping World, and was described as: 'A thorough musician, a pleasing writer, and full of enthusiasm', and thus, 'specially fitted for the work'.

[5] These latter, Smith dismissed as tales of 'impossible ships in impracticable positions', where her working songs were sung to 'the booming double bass of the hollow topsails, and the multitudinous chorus of the ocean.

[8] She requested contributions in Notes and Queries, but received a disappointing lack of replies.

[8] In 1893, Smith sat on the advisory council of the women's branch of the World's Congress on Folk-lore.