Nan Macpherson Smith

Nan Macpherson Smith
Smith in a 1925 publication
Born
Nancy E. MacPherson Robinson

Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada
Died(1940-08-27)August 27, 1940
Saint Andrews, New Brunswick
Other nameMrs. E. Atherton Smith
Education
Occupations
  • leader
  • philanthropist
Spouse
Edward Atherton
​
​
(m. 1890; died 1925)​
AwardsQueen Elizabeth of Belgium Medal

Nan Macpherson Smith (née, Robinson; after marriage, Mrs. E. Atherton Smith, d. 1940) was a Canadian leader in New Brunswick women's activities, as well as patriotic, philanthropic, cultural, missionary, and benevolent projects in the Saint John area. She was well known as a writer, organizer and public speaker, with a national reputation as a lecturer on literary subjects and travel. Elevating womanhood, she traveled throughout Canada and the United States. She was also known for her war work during World War I.

Early life and education

Nancy E. MacPherson Robinson was born at "Maple Grove" in Campbellton. Her parents were John Robinson and Mary Масpherson, both of Restigouche County, New Brunswick.

She was educated at Mount Allison Academy in Sackville (M.L.A.), Boston School of Oratory, and the New Brunswick Teachers' College (teacher's certificate).

Career

Presentation of band instruments to 55th Battalion by Smith, St. John Regent of Royal Standard Chapter, IODE, Valcartier Camp, Sept. 1, 1915

Smith was a Life Member of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE). She served as Regent, Royal Standard Chapter, IODE for five years and also Provincial Organizing Secretary, IODΕ for three years. In 1915, during World War I, Smith, then St. John Regent of Royal Standard Chapter, IODE, equipped and sent overseas a band with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Smith served as president, Provincial National Council of Women of Canada; also vice-president for New Brunswick in National Council of Women of Canada; and Life Member of the National Council of Women of Canada. She was a representative of the International Council of Women at international conferences (Washington, 1925; Geneva, 1927; Vienna, 1930).

Smith held several other leadership positions including: President of the Women's Hospital Aid, which had over 2,000 members; President, New Brunswick Auxiliary for the Blind; President of the Ladies' Curling Club of St. John; President, Women's Canadian Club for five years (1909–14); and vice-president of Association of Canadian Clubs.

She served as Commissioner of the Free Public Library, Commissioner of the Saint John County Hospital, Governor of the Board of St. John Health Centre, and Governor of the Boys' Industrial Home;.

She was an Associate Member of the Royal Colonial Institute, London, England; Member, Free Dispensary Board; Member, Board of Children's Aid Society; Member, Board of Provincial Red Cross, and Member, Executive Committee, Maritime School for the Blind in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Personal life

Smith in 1925

In 1890, she married Edward Atherton Smith (d. 1925), head of Smith Brokerage Company. The couple had no children.

Smith made her primary home at "Cluneleigh", Saint Andrews; there was a second home in Saint John. In religion, she belonged to Saint Andrew's Church, in Saint John. Her recreations included yachting, motoring, golf, curling and travel.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith were amongst the first Canadians to travel around the world, having made that cruise on the Empress of Canada in 1924.

Death and legacy

After an illness of only a couple of hours, Nan Macpherson Smith died at "Cluneleigh", St. Andrews, on August 27, 1940.

The Nan MacPherson Smith prize was created by the Women's Canadian Club in her honor.

Awards and honours

References

  1. ↑ Belliveau, Paul E. (30 June 2016). Percy Guthrie and The MacLean Kilties. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-4834-5291-3.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Greene, B. M. (1925). Who's who and why: A Biographical Dictionary of Men and Women of Canada and Newfoundland (Public domain ed.). International Press Limited. p. 458. Retrieved 24 May 2026 – via HathiTrust.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mrs. E. A. Smith Died St. Andrews". The Daily Gleaner. Fredericton, York, New Brunswick, Canada. 27 August 1940. p. 6. Retrieved 24 May 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Nan MacPherson Smith (A Heroine Among The Heroes), by Arthur T. Doyle". The Daily Gleaner. Fredericton. 30 June 1984. p. 5. Retrieved 24 May 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ↑ Canada Patent Office (October 1915). Scientific Canadian Mechanics' Magazine and Patent Office Record (Public domain ed.). p. 3285. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  6. ↑ Canadian Almanac and Miscellaneous Directory (Public domain ed.). Copp, Clark. 1924. p. 506. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  7. ↑ May, Robert E. (June 1913). Macdougall, Donald (ed.). "Boston and Vicinity". The Caledonian. 8 (3) (Public domain ed.). New York: Caledonian Publishing Company: 122. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  8. ↑ Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture of the Province of New Brunswick for the Year Ended 31st October ... (Public domain ed.). The Department. 1915. p. 138. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "Cluneleigh". Saint Andrews Civic Trust. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Dies At St. Andrews, Ill Only Two Hours". Saint John Times Globe. 27 August 1940. p. 9. Retrieved 25 May 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  11. ↑ "Wins Gold Medal For Matrics Marks". Saint John Times Globe. 23 December 1957. p. 15. Retrieved 25 May 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon