Later in his life he took part in a number of leading African American organizations and was president of a Reformatory School outside of Richmond, Virginia.

in 1859 he entered the Quaker run Institute for Colored Youth led by Ebenezer D. Bassett, graduating May 4, 1862.

Smythe was a talented painter, and was admitted a member of the Academy of Fine Arts at Philadelphia, focusing on landscapes.

Smythe took manual labor work and, on the advice of William Whipple, began teaching at a school in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.

In 1869, Smythe enrolled at Howard University Law School where John Mercer Langston was dean.

Smythe was recalled by President Grover Cleveland on March 25, 1885, and returned to Washington DC to practice law.

[4] Smythe wrote introductions to volumes of poetry by Daniel Webster Davis,[5] and worked with poet George Moses Horton.

[8] In the fall of 1898, Smythe attended meetings in Rochester led by Alexander Walters, T. Thomas Fortune, John C. Dancy, Ida B.

[9] In fact, Smythe was an outspoken opponent of intermarriage and integrated schools as he felt independence was important for racial pride and solidarity, but which put him at odds with many black leaders.