George Thomas Smart

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.

[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.