Dates

• Existence: 1922 - 1974

Biography

Stanley Alexander de Smith (1922-1974), jurist. BA St Catharine's College Cambridge, awarded the George Long prize for jurisprudence in 1942. Served with the Royal Artillery from 1942 to 1946, and awarded the order of Leopold II, croix de guerre (1940), with palms, in 1945.

Started at London School of Economics 1946 as assistant lecturer in law. Became lecturer in 1948, reader in public law in 1954, and in 1959 was awarded his PhD degree at London University. From 1959 to 1970 he was professor of public law at the University of London. In 1970 de Smith returned to Cambridge as Downing professor of the laws of England and was elected fellow of Fitzwilliam College. In 1971 he became a fellow of the British Academy.