Lyn Smith, a distinguished oral historian, author, and lecturer, has died at the age of 91. Despite leaving school at 16, she built a remarkable career spanning over five decades, working with institutions such as the Imperial War Museum, the BBC, and the Open University.
A Life Dedicated to Capturing History
As a freelance contributor to the Imperial War Museum's sound archive, Smith recorded thousands of hours of firsthand testimonies from individuals involved in conflicts ranging from the Boer War to Libya. Her interviewees included veterans, diplomats, war brides, reporters, refugees, prisoners of war, scientists, and evacuees.
Literary Contributions and Academic Pursuits
Smith authored seven books, drawing extensively on her work with the Imperial War Museum. Notable titles include Forgotten Voices of the Holocaust (2005) and People Power: Fighting for Peace from the First World War to the Present (2017). Her academic journey began later in life; she enrolled in the National Extension College for A-levels and later joined the first Open University cohort, earning a degree in humanities and social sciences in 1975, followed by a master's in Russian studies from Sussex University in 1977.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Portsmouth, Lyn was the second of five children to George Fee, a sailor and later postman, and Lena (nee Moss), who had worked in domestic service. During World War II, the family was evacuated from Dulwich in south London to West Sussex, eventually settling in Fittleworth. After leaving Horsham High School, she worked as a post office telegraphist and a shop assistant in Brighton, where she met her future husband, Peter Smith. They married in 1959 and settled in Kingston near Lewes in 1964.
Professional Achievements and Global Interests
Following her studies, Smith was commissioned by the BBC to write programmes about Anglo-Soviet relations, initially for Radio Brighton and later for the World Service in 1978. She also lectured at the Open University and the Workers' Education Association, and taught at Webster University's London campus (later part of Regent's College) from the 1980s, with teaching stints in St. Louis, Missouri, during the 1990s and 2000s.
Her interests extended beyond academia to music, art, books, gardening, crafting, and enjoying the countryside. She was an avid traveller, embarking on solo trips to France at 19 and later visiting the Soviet bloc, China, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea when such destinations were rarely explored. Her husband, Peter, supported her endeavours as a researcher, route-planner, and travel companion until his death in 2018.
Legacy and Family
Lyn Smith is survived by her three children, Alison, Katy, and the author of this obituary, as well as two grandchildren, Martha and Iris. Her work continues to preserve the voices and stories of those affected by historical conflicts, ensuring their experiences are not forgotten.
