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George Henry Smillie

1840 – 1921

American painter

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About George Henry Smillie

Lived 1840 – 1921 (aged 80–81). George Henry Smillie was an American painter.

George Henry Smillie (December 29, 1840 – November 10, 1921) was an American painter and etcher.

Early life and education George Henry Smillie was born on December 29, 1840, in New York, to parents Catherine (née Vans Valkenburgh) and Scottish-born artist James S. Smillie (1807–1885). He was the brother of artist James David Smillie (1833–1909).

Smillie studied under his father, and under painter James McDougal Hart.

Career He became a member of the National Academy of Design in 1882. Like his brother, he painted both in oils and in watercolor. His favorite subjects were scenes along the New England coast. In 1871 Smillie travelled west to make landscape paintings and drawings, particularly of the Rocky Mountains and Yosemite Valley.

In June 1881, he married painter Nellie Sheldon Jacobs (1854–1926), at All Souls' Church in New York City. Together they had three sons.

He died on November 10, 1921, in his home in Bronxville, in Westchester County, New York. He was survived by his wife and children.

His work is in museum collections, including the Brooklyn Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

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Important facts

Born
1840, New York City
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
George H. Smillie, G.H. Smillie

People in George Henry Smillie's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped George Henry Smillie's

Frequently asked questions

Who was George Henry Smillie?

American painter (1840-1921)

When was George Henry Smillie born?

George Henry Smillie was born in 1840 in New York City.

When did George Henry Smillie die?

George Henry Smillie died on 10 November 1921 in New York City.

What was George Henry Smillie's occupation?

George Henry Smillie was a painter.

What nationality was George Henry Smillie?

George Henry Smillie was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: George Henry Smillie

· Wikidata: Q5540480

· DBpedia: George Henry Smillie

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George Henry Smillie. https://biography.guide/george-henry-smillie/

MLA: "George Henry Smillie." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-henry-smillie/.

Chicago: "George Henry Smillie." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-henry-smillie/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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