Michael Smith
AUTHOR

Michael Smith

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Michael Smith is a British author, journalist and lecturer who specialises in the history of Polar exploration. He has written a dozen books on the subject, contributed to a large number of newspapers, magazines and websites and appeared on national and local TV and radio. Michael has featured in documentaries and assisted with the development of film and TV drama productions.

Books
• An Unsung Hero – Tom Crean, (The Collins Press; Hodder Headline; The Mountaineers Press), 2000 ISBN 978-0898868708
• An Unsung Hero – Tom Crean (Gill; Mareverlag; Capitan Swing) 2020 ISBN 978-0-7171 8956 4
• I Am Just Going Outside – Captain Oates – Antarctic Tragedy (The Collins Press; Spellmount) 2002 ISBN 1903464129[5]
• Polar Crusader – A Life of Sir James Wordie (Birlinn) 2004 ISBN 978 1 84158 543 7
• Tom Crean – An Illustrated Life (The Collins Press) 2006 ISBN 9781848891197
• Captain Francis Crozier - Last Man Standing? (The Collins Press) 2006 ISBN 978 184889-193-7
• Great Endeavour – Ireland's Antarctic Explorers (The Collins Press) 2008 ISBN 9781848890237
• Shackleton - By Endurance We Conquer (The Collins Press and Oneworld Publications) 2014 ISBN 978-1780745725
• Icebound in the Arctic – The Mystery of Capain Francis Crozier and the Franklin Expedition (O’Brien Press) 2021 ISBN 978-1-78849-232-4
• Tom Crean – Irish Antarctic Hero (O’Brien Press) 2025 ISBN 978-1-78849-455-7
Children's books
• Tom Crean – Iceman (The Collins Press) 2003 ISBN 1-905172-31-1
• Shackleton – The Boss (The Collins Press) 2004 ISBN 1-905172-27-3
Contributory author
• Shackleton – The Antarctic and Endurance (Dulwich College) 2001 ISBN 0-9539493-0-3

Michael Smith's first book, An Unsung Hero - Tom Crean was a notable success when first published in 2000 and became the No 1 best-selling non-fiction book in Ireland.[1] The biography of Tom Crean is an international success and been translated into the languages of China, Germany, Italy, Korea and Spain. The adaptation of the story for younger audiences, Tom Crean - Iceman, has been published in the Irish language.
An Unsung Hero changed perceptions about early Polar exploration by raising the profile of men outside the ranks of officers or scientists whose significant contribution to early exploration was generally unrecognised or under-appreciated. Tom Crean’s life was largely unknown outside a small number of enthusiasts before Michael Smith’s book was published.
Michael Smith has also been praised for raising awareness of the important role played by Irish explorers in the history of Polar exploration. Tom Crean’s story is now incorporated in the curriculum in Irish schools and the state agency, the Irish Marine Institute (Foras na Mara), has named its new marine research vessel Tom Crean in recognition. The success of An Unsung Hero also encouraged a number of related spin-offs, including Aidan Dooley’s award-winning stage play Tom Crean Antarctic Explorer and the successful Tom Crean Brewery in Ireland which is owned Crean’s granddaughter Aileen D’Arcy.
Michael Smith’s catalogue of books includes biographies of Sir Ernest Shackleton, Captain Lawrence Oates, Sir James Wordie and Francis Crozier. He also chronicled the role of lesser known Irish explorers, including Edward Bransfield, Patrick Keohane, Robert Forde and Tim and Mortimer McCarthy.[ He also wrote and presented a series about Irish explorers for RTE Radio. Michael has written two books for younger readers: Tom Crean – Iceman and Shackleton – The Boss. In partnership with the artist David Butler, Michael also produced the graphic novel, Tom Crean – Irish Antarctic Hero.
Michael Smith has lectured extensively and discussed the lives of significant figures in Polar history such as Tom Crean, Francis Crozier and Ernest Shackleton. He appeared at many prestigious venues including: Queen’s Gallery Buckingham Palace London; National Library of Ireland; National Maritime Museum London; National Museum of Ireland; Princess Grace Memorial Library Monaco; Royal Geographical Society London; Royal Scottish Geographical Society; Royal Society of Edinburgh; Scott Polar Research Institute Cambridge; Cork Literacy Society; Dundee Heritage Trust; National Maritime Museum Cornwall; Brooklands Museum; Ashridge Circle Eastbourne; White-Oates Museum Selbourne; Stables Theatre Hastings; Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre.
He has appeared at many popular literary festivals and other venues, including: The Dublin Book Festival; Dublin Festival of History; Shackleton Weekend Athy; Writers Week Listowel; West Cork Literary Festival; Mountains to Sea Festival; Immrama; Ennis Book Festival. Michael also makes regular appearances in schools and has contributed to Ireland’s nationwide Children’s Book Festival for over 20 years.
Career
Smith began writing about Antarctic and Arctic exploration after a successful career as an award-winning journalist in London. He was twice named Industrial Journalist of the Year (1987 and 1992). He is a Life Member of the National Union of Journalists.[
From 1978–1989, Smith worked at The Guardian as industrial editor, political correspondent and transport editor. He was city editor at The Standard from 1990-91. From 1992–95 he worked at The Observer (1992–95) as industrial editor and business editor.
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