Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Smyth, Robert Brough

by Bernard Barham Woodward

SMYTH, ROBERT BROUGH (1830–1889), mining surveyor, son of Edward Smyth, a mining engineer, was born at Carville, near Newcastle, Northumberland, in 1830. He was educated at Whickham in the county of Durham. Soon turning his attention to natural science, especially to chemistry and geology, he began work about 1846 as an assistant at the Derwent Ironworks. There he remained over five years. In 1852 he emigrated to Victoria, Australia. After some experience on the goldfields, he entered the survey department as draughtsman under Captain (afterwards Sir Andrew) Clarke, R.E. Subsequently he acted for a brief period as chief draughtsman, and in 1854 was appointed to take charge of the meteorological observations. In 1858 he was appointed secretary to the board of science, which included the charge of the mining surveys of the colony. In 1860 he was appointed secretary for mines, with a salary of 750l., and acted for some time as chief inspector of mines and reorganised the geological survey, of which he became director. At the beginning of 1876, owing to the result of an inquiry into his treatment of his subordinates, he resigned all his offices. He subsequently went to India, where he helped to promote the disastrous ‘boom’ in Indian gold-mines. He died on 10 Oct. 1889. He had been elected a fellow of the Geological Society in 1856 and of the Linnean in November 1874; he was also a member of the Société Géologique de France, of the Society of Arts and Sciences at Utrecht, and an honorary corresponding member of the Boston Society of Natural History.

Besides many official reports and various lists and statistics for different international exhibitions, Smyth was author of:

1. ‘The Prospectors' Handbook,’ 8vo, Melbourne, 1863.
2. ‘The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria,’ 4to, Melbourne, 1869.
3. ‘Hints for the Guidance of Surveyors,’ 8vo, Melbourne, 1871.
4. ‘The Aborigines of Victoria,’ 2 vols. 4to, Melbourne, 1878.

He also contributed papers on mineralogical and geological subjects to scientific journals between 1855 and 1872.

[Mennell's Dict. Australian Biogr.; Colonial Office Lists, 1858–76; Lists of the Linnean and Geological Societies; Reports of the Mines Department of Victoria; Brit. Mus. Cat.; Royal Soc. Cat. of Scientific Papers.]

B. B. W.