Smith's Prize-man
Preserved but no longer current.
One who has obtained the prize (£25), founded at Cambridge by Robert Smith, D.D. (1689-1768) (Master of Trinity, 1742-68), for proficiency in mathe- matics and natural philosophy. There are annually two prizes, awarded to two com- mencing Bachelors of Arts.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Smith's Prize-man” mean?
One who has obtained the prize (£25), founded at Cambridge by Robert Smith, D.D. (1689-1768) (Master of Trinity, 1742-68), for proficiency in mathe- matics and natural philosophy. There are annually two prizes, awarded to two com- mencing Bachelors of Arts.
Is “Smith's Prize-man” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.