Erasmus Smith

Erasmus Smith was an English merchant and educational benefactor who made a fortune speculating in Irish lands during the Commonwealth.

Born in a family of a minor Leicestershire nobility, Smith went to London where he joined the Grocers’ Company and became a Turkey merchant. His rise to prominence occurred during the period of Commonwealth when he was appointed as an army contractor in charge for supplying Oliver Cromwell’s army in Ireland and Scotland. In return for his services, he was granted land in Tipperary and continued to acquire lands in Ireland even after the monarchy was restored with Charles II. By 1684 Smith owned over 46,000 acres in nine counties. His personal fortune was estimated around £120,000 or £2.7bn in today’s terms.