Smith, Cyril Wontner 1877 - 1952

Cyril Wontner Smith [also known as Cyril Wontner-Smith] was born in Brecknock Road, Tufnell Park, London, England, on 6 March 1877. Between 1893-96 he was articled to Alfred Morris Butler (1862-1946). He was then assistant to Arnold Bidlake Mitchell (1863-1944) until 1900 when he was employed in the office of Sir Aston Webb (1849-1930).  Smith qualified as an architect in 1900 and later that year was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA). He established his own independent architectural practice in 1904.

He was Surveyor to the Archdeaconry of Oxford in 1908-20, and to the Diocese of London, in from 1912 to 1947. During World War One, he served in the Ministry of Munitions.  He succeeded Sir Edwin Lutyens as architect to the British Medical Association (BMA), and was responsible for an extension to BMA House in Tavistock Square, originally designed by Lutyens in 1911-25. He was Vice President of the Architectural Association in 1909.

Following World War Two Smith worked on the restoration of a number of London churches, notably St. Dunstan with All the Saints in Stepney; All Saints in Poplar; St. Mathias in Stoke Newington; St. Paul's in Bow Common; and St. Batholemew's in Bethnal Green.

Drawings and floor plans of 'Hiscote' and 'Cromdale' in New Barnet, Hertfordshire, designed by Smith are illustrated in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1910 (pp.76, 77); and a photograph and floor plan of 'Greenways' in Woking, Surrey designed by him is illustrated in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1912 (p.70).  

Smith exhibited at the Royal Academy in London between 1915 and 1927. His address was given as 10 Stockwell Park Road, London (1868); 16 Finsbury Circus, London (1907, 1913); Willenham Park, New Barnet, Hertfordshire (1913); and 2 Gray's Inn Road, London (1934). He died in Highgate, Middlesex, England, on 2 December 1952.