Robert Mackenzie Smeaton (1845-1910)
Robert Mackenzie Smeaton (1845-1910) was born in St Andrews to David James Smeaton (or Smitton; d. 1871), a local headmaster, and Elizabeth Charlotte née Mackenzie (d. 1903). He attended the University and graduated from United College, winning the Carstairs Prize in Mathematics and the Tyndall Bruce Bursary in 1866. He went on to join Indian Civil Service at one point working as a financial secretary in the North-Western Provinces. His brother, Donald Mackenzie Smeaton (1844-1910) also attended the University and served in the civil service in India and Burma (Myanmar) before becoming an MP. In 1887, Robert obtained at LL.D. from the University. From 1895 to 1905, he annually contributed a £20 prize for the ‘Smeaton Bursary’ at the University. In 1905, he gifted £750 to establish a permanent Smeaton Bursary in memory of his father. Robert died in London in 1910.
Sources:
University Biographical Register – Robert M. Smeaton; UYUC602/3, p. 75; University Calendar, 1896; University Biographical Register – David J. Smeaton; ODNB – Smeaton, Donald Mackenzie (1846–1910)