WORTHINGTON GEORGE SMITH (1835—1917): ONE OF THE GREATS OF PALAEOLITHIC ARCHAEOLOGY BUT HAPPIEST WITH HUMBLE MEN.

Worthington George Smith was a leading light within a particular stratum of Victorians who made a significant contribution to the development of British Palaeolithic archaeology. He was highly regarded by those gentlemen-scholars who oversaw the transformation of antiquarianism to archaeology, most notably Sir John Evans, the doyen of that select number. But he was happiest with humbler men, and this side to his nature was evident when he took four aspiring prehistorians under his wing. By the establishment of networks such as these, archaeology expanded from a high society pursuit to what might be regarded as everyman’s pastime. Drawing largely on unpublished material, including numerous letters from Smith to his coterie, the way in which this loosely knit group formed and functioned is revealed, together with fresh insights into Smith’s career and character. Smith emerges as a significant link between the elites of prehistory and the underestimated ‘little people’ who frequently fall between the cracks and disappear forever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]