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Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill

b. 1940

British Baroness (born 1940)

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About Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill

Born 1940. Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill is a British politician.

Elizabeth Margaret Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill, (; born 4 June 1940), is a British peer and patron of the arts. She is the widow of John Smith, who led the Labour Party from 1992 to 1994.

Born Elizabeth Margaret Bennett, Smith was educated at Hutchesons' Girls Grammar School and the University of Glasgow.

Baroness Smith is the president of Scottish Opera and served as the chairman of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 1995 to 2012. She is also a governor of the English-Speaking Union and a board member of the Centre for European Reform. Within a year of her husband's death, she was created a life peer as Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill, of Gilmorehill in the District of the City of Glasgow on 17 February 1995. From 1998 to 2001, she served as president of Birkbeck College, University of London. having not spoken in the Lords chamber since 1999.

Smith received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 1998.

She has three daughters, including Sarah Smith, who is the BBC News North America Editor, and Catherine Smith, who is Advocate General for Scotland.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Hutchesons' Grammar School, University of Glasgow, Glasgow University
Positions held
Member of the House of Lords
Also known as
Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill, Elizabeth Margaret Bennett, Elizabeth Bennett

Family & relationships

Spouse
John Smith (Labour Party leader)
Child
Sarah Smith (news reporter)

People in Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill?

British Baroness (born 1940)

When was Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill born?

Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill was born on 4 June 1940 in Scotland.

What is Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill's occupation?

Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill is a politician.

What nationality is Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill?

Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill is British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill

· Wikidata: Q1331318

· DBpedia: Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill. https://biography.guide/elizabeth-smith-baroness-smith-of-gilmorehill/

MLA: "Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/elizabeth-smith-baroness-smith-of-gilmorehill/.

Chicago: "Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/elizabeth-smith-baroness-smith-of-gilmorehill/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-30 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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