Alan Smithson (1 December 1936 – 17 June 2010) was Bishop of Jarrow from 1990 to 2001. He was educated at Bradford Grammar School and Queen's College, Oxford (he gained an Oxford Master of Arts and a Diploma in Theology before embarking on an ecclesiastical career with a curacy at Christ Church, Skipton after which he was Chaplain at his old college. Following this he was Vicar of Bracknell and later a Canon Residentiary at Carlisle Cathedral before being appointed to the episcopate. In retirement he served the Diocese of Edinburgh as an assistant bishop. He was also National Chaplain to the Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade from 1992-2006 where he was much loved.