The Montague Smith Papers
- Reference:GB 2607 MS/1-3
- Dates of Creation:1868 - 1930
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:1 linear metre
Scope and Content
This collection consists of personal ephemera, published materials, and original manuscripts of the organist and composer Montague Smith.
Montague Smith (christened George Richard Nixon Smith) was born on 14 July 1843 in Norwich and came to Glasgow in 1866 to take up the position of organist in St. Andrew's Parish Church. He transferred to St. Silus's Episopal Church and remained there 22 years - simultaneously holding the position of organist at Glasgow University - before joining the Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley as its organist and choirmaster from 1889 until after the Second World War. He passed away in his 80th year in March 1923 and was buried at Woodside Cemetery in Paisley, Renfrewshire.
During his tenure at Coats Memorial, Smith composed a variety of musical pieces,. His cantata "By The Waters Of Babylon," found in this collection in published and manuscript form, was performed in Glasgow in 1873 and later at the Norwich Musical Festival.
The collection was given to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's archives on behalf of the Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church.
Access Information
Open. Appointment necessary. Email: archives@rcs.ac.uk
Acquisition Information
Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church.
Custodial History
Donated on behalf of the Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church, 25 October 2018.
Accruals
None.
Subjects
Personal Names
Corporate Names
Geographical Names