Paul Cranfield Smyth (1888-1963) was the founder of the Finchley Art Society and a prolific artist.

In 1913, he received the honour of having his painting – 'The Ferry Boat Inn' at Holywell in Cambridgeshire being displayed in the Royal Academy.

In the years leading up to the First World War Paul Smyth visited and painted on Canvey Island, Essex many times.

At the beginning of World War II, Paul Cranfield Smyth was the headmaster of Wormholt Park London County Council, Senior Boys School and was evacuated to Oxford with 500 children.

Living in lodgings in Iffley Road, he painted extensively in the city and held an exhibition of his work to raise money for the war effort in 1941.