Cornelius Smelt

Cornelius Smelt (August 1748 – 28 November 1832) was an administrator who served as Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man from 1805 until his death in 1832, the longest governorship in the history of the Island. An officer in the British Army, he served first with the 14th Regiment of Foot and then the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot, acting as Deputy Governor of Southsea Castle in the late 18th century. His governorship of the Isle of Man is remembered as one in which he displayed great moral courage in difficult circumstances. His wisdom and fortitude in the long period when the House of Keys and the Duke of Atholl fought their historic political battles were also evident.

Military career Smelt served in the British Army, beginning his career with the 14th Regiment of Foot, and was promoted to lieutenant on 2 March 1772. Four years later, on 9 July 1776, he was gazetted to the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot with whom he saw action in various campaigns during the American War of Independence. Smelt's military career spanned forty six years, including his time as a member of the North York Militia (major 1797, lieutenant-colonel 1803, shortly before his retirement).

Governorship of the Isle of Man On 15 June 1805, Smelt became the first royally appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man. Governor Smelt's political liberalism was seen as a balance for the Dukes of Atholl, who ruled the Isle of Man first as Kings of Mann, then Lords of Mann, and during Smelt's time, Governors of the Isle of Man. He was appointed as "Inspecting Field-Officer of Fencibles and Volunteers in the Isle of Man" on 26 October 1805, granting him the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel. He acted as a restraining influence on some of the modernising ambitions of John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl, the last Governor.

Family In 1785 he married Mary Trant Ottley. Following her death at the age of 34, he married Anne Hale. He had children from both marriages.