Smithies was born on 27 August 1817 in
York, to James and
Catherine Smithies, the second of ten children. His mother was a campaigner for
abolitionism,
animal welfare and
temperance. He converted to
Methodism at age 15, joining the
Methodist Society. The following year, he started work at the
Yorkshire Fire and Life Insurance Company. He also worked as a
Sunday school teacher and initiated missionary meetings specifically for children. He became
teetotal in 1837, aged 20. In 1851, he published ''Sunday Scholars' Friend
and the Band of Hope Review
(1851–1937). This was followed by The British Workman in 1855; edited by Smithies. Subsequent publications included The Infant's Magazine
, The Children's Friend
, The Family Friend
, The Friendly Visitor
, and The Weekly Welcome''. On 20 July 1883, after a period of long illness, Smithies died of
heart disease, aged 67. == Selected publications ==