Robert St John Smith

Robert St John Smith is a multi-disciplinary historian focused on the First World War. He is currently a postgraduate researcher at the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus, studying via distance learning. His doctoral thesis analyses the shifting cultural image of 'Tommy Atkins' – a popular nickname from the late nineteenth century to the 1920s for the ordinary soldier in the British Army. Robert’s research traces how this avatar was constructed, perceived, and manipulated between 1896 and 1926.

His research is distinguished by a mixed-methods approach, combining computational analysis of large-scale newspaper archives with traditional qualitative readings of cultural and official sources. His wider research interests include the military and cultural history of the First World War, digital humanities, visual culture, and trench journalism. His work has been published by The Western Front Association, and his knowledge of trench journalism has led to public talks and, most recently, an invitation from Talbot House to serve as the historian writing the commentary for their 2026 reissue of The Wipers Times.

Prior to pursuing academia, he had an extensive 25-year career as a consultant in the banking and corporate sectors. This background provides him with a unique, data-literate perspective on historical enquiry. He holds an MA in A History of Britain and the First World War from the University of Wolverhampton.

He writes about his ongoing research at robertstjohsmith.com.