Biography: Smith, Stephenson Percy

Elsdon Best and Percy Smith, 1908

In 1891 Percy Smith invited Elsdon Best to Wellington to discuss the formation of a society for the study of Polynesian history and culture; they were both foundation members of the Polynesian Society in 1892.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Crompton-Smith Collection (PAColl-4073)

Reference: 1/2-028237; F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

How to cite this page

Giselle M. Byrnes. 'Smith, Stephenson Percy', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1993. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/1872/elsdon-best-and-percy-smith-1908 (accessed 28 June 2026).