Book | Architect of Sultan Abdülmecid William James Smith

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Culture Inc. has published (2016) a book titled, ‘Sultan Abdülmecid'in Bir Mimarı: William James Smith,' [1]which covers artworks by the British architect, who worked in Istanbul after the Declaration of Tanzimat

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An English architect in the 19thcentury Istanbul: William JamesSmith and Taşkışla 

ITU A|Z • Vol 12 No 2 • July 2015 • 93-101

Brief notes on William JamesSmith’s architectural referencesto Greek revival at Taşkışla andDolmabahçe Seyir Köşkü (Istanbul) 

ITU A|Z • Vol 12 No 2 • July 2015 • 83-91

A BRITISH TOUCH ON TANZIMAT: ARCHITECT WILLIAM JAMES SMITHTanzimat’a İngiliz Dokunuşu: Mimar William James Smith∗Esma İGÜS

Mavi Boncuk | 

Sultan Abdülmecid'in Bir Mimari / Architect of Sultan Abdülmecid William James Smith[1]
Batur, Afife
ISBN 10: 605913257X / ISBN 13: 9786059132572

Published by Kültür A.S., Istanbul, 2016


The book,  is composed of a compilation of articles collected from different visual culture and architecture history researchers such as Aygül AĞIR , Affe BATUR , V. Gül CEPHANECİGİL , Seda KULA SAY , Mine TOPÇUBAŞI ÇİLİNGİROĞLU , A. Hilal UĞURLU.

An English architect William James Smith had worked in Istanbul from 1842 to 1856, a most politically influential period for the British Empire. Smith, after his appointment to the prestigious project for the new Istanbul Embassy Building of United Kingdom, whose conceptual design was probably by renowned architect Sir Charles Barry, had attained the interest and trust of Ottoman statesmen. Consequently he was assigned to realise a number of important architectural projects contributing to the modernization of Ottoman Architecture. Some of the Smith s important works for the Ottoman Porte are: A military hospital [Gümüssuyu Askeri Hastanesi], a naval hospital, a school of medicine later known as Mecidiye Kislasi then Taskisla, a part of the Selimiye Barracks, a Glass Pavilion in Dolmabahce Palace and Tophane Imperial Kiosk [Tophane Kasri] for Sultan Abdülmecid; a building for the Board of Trade, renovation of the Naum Theatre. His commissions for so many important buildings, in spite of the presence of the notable architects, namely Balyan and Fossati, is a proof of Sultan s appreciation of Smith s works. Smith worked for both the British Empire and the Ottoman Sultan for a considerable number of grand scale projects. Being Smith s first work of grand scale, Taskisla has had a major role in the history of the Ottoman Empire and Istanbul in addition to its own interesting construction history. Editors: Translator: 334 pages.

The book closely scrutinizes Smith work between 1841-1858. Smith was born in London and surprisingly isn't well-known even though he was one of the most prominent foreign architects who worked in the capital of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.

According to the book, William James Smith was considered very important and received offers for big projects in the modernization process of Ottoman architecture. Several architect candidates were put under Smith's order to be trained both theoretically and practically. In addition to this, Smith was awarded a fourth class Mecidi Order in 1846 by Sultan Abdulmecid.

Architectural projects that were carried out in the first 15 years of Sultan Abdülmecid's reign are largely coherent and consistent with Smith's designs. Especially the Russian and Dutch embassy buildings or Darülfünun and Reşid Paşa Palace, which were constructed by Italian architects Gaspare Fossati and his brother Guisseppe Fossati, bear a resemblance to several works designed by Smith including the British embassy building, Mecidiye Kışlası and the İbrahim Ethem Paşa Konağı or Kasımpaşa Hospital.

Mecidiye Kışlası, also known as Taşkışla, is one of the most well-known works and architectural designs created by Smith. When construction initially started in 1846, it was designed as a medical school building. As the design won great recognition it paved the way for future design ideas and constructions for Smith.

Tophane-i Amire Hospital (Gümüşsuyu Military Hospital), which was built between 1846 and 1849, and the Bahriye Hospital (Kasımpaşa Naval Hospital), which was built in 1847 are among the most significant designs done by Smith.

Amongst his most meticulous and classicist designs, Smith, upon Sultan Abdulmecid's request, renovated a part of the Selimiye Barracks, and designed and built the Tophane Imperial Kiosk between 1847-1851.

The Seyir Kiosk in Dolmabahçe Palace and the Winter Garden, located right next to it, are also among Smith's most noteworthy designs. His main contribution to the Dolmabahçe Palace is the design and building of the Camlı Köşk (Glass Kiosk).

William James Smith was not only famous for public buildings but he also contributed to civic architecture in Istanbul. His works included pavilions such as the İbrahim Ethem Paşa Mansion for the Grand Vizier Ibrahim Ethem Pasha.

Another project that boosted his fame was the Naum Theater, which takes an important place in Istanbul's art world in the 19th century. The most well-known theater in Istanbul during the Tanzimat era, the Naum Theater was reconstructed by Smith in 1853 after being burned down in 1847.

A British Chief Consul at the Sultan's command

Various documents in the Ottoman archives of the Prime Ministry demonstrate that William James Smith won the Ottoman Empire's trust not only in architecture but also in diplomacy.

According to a document dating back to 1858, William James Smith was appointed as chief consul of Ligorna (Livorno) by the order of the sultan due to his "qualification and loyalty to the Ottoman Empire." Similarly, there are documents that show he was the chief consul of Florence in 1879 and in Toscana.

Offering visuals of interior and exterior of the buildings that were designed by William James Smith to its audience, the book serves as a rich source on the architectural and visual culture of the Tanzimat era in the Ottoman Empire.


[1] 2. William James Smith Knowledge about the professional development of William James Smith before he came to Istanbul is rather limited. Smith’s death certificate found in the section of deaths in overseas countries of the British General Records Office indicates that he died on 8 December 1884 in Florence at the age of 77. Hence, it was postulated that he was born in 1807 (GRO, Death Certificate, F005942). 

We know that in 1830 he started working at the “Ofce of Works”, a government unit responsible for the maintenance, design and construction of the royal buildings (NA, T1/640 1A: 20465). In a letter he wrote before he retired and in which he narrated his professional life, Smith pointed out that he was trained as an “architect and surveyor” and on completing his professional training, began to work in public service with “very good recommendations” (NA, T1/640 1A: 20465). Te only information on the position(s) he held in this service is his appointment on 30 June 1840 as “assistant surveyor” to the “Metropolitan Improvements” department which was in charge of urban projects and directed by Tomas Chawer and James Pennethorne. However, one year afer this appointment, on 22 June 1841 he left for Istanbul (NA, CRES/1616.). 

As for the period when he again worked for the Office of Works after his return from Istanbul to England, he is known to have been recruited as an “architectural assistant” a post created especially for him. In the above mentioned letter, Smith pointed out that during this period he prepared the projects of the reorganization of Burlington House for the new use of the state, the restoration of the Birmingham and Bath post offices, the transformation of the Carisbrooke Castle into an armoury for the militia forces and the Bedford Lunatic Asylum into a factory for arms (NA, T1/640 1A: 20465). However, in 1856 the Office retired him against his will on the justification that there was not enough work for the position he held. Smith’s career afer this retirement is quite unusual for an architect: “Due to his qualifications and his devotion to the Ottoman State” he was appointed by order of the Sultan frst as Head consul of Livorno (BOA, HH.d.17402; ASLI2 , Prefettura di Livorno, No: 440, date 1862), in 1879 as consul of Florence (BOA, İ. HR. 153 /8129), and fnally was awarded a fourth class Mecidi Order while he was Headconsul of Toscana (BOA, İ.HR.176/ 9668). Smith died in Toscana and his grave was found at the Cimitero Evangelico degli Allori in Florence3 . His birth and death dates on his tomb stone in Florence are recorded as 24th March 1807- 9th December 1884.

SOURCE  An English architect in the 19thcentury Istanbul: William JamesSmith and Taşkışla