Smith attended Ohio State University and developed an interest in chemistry after a course taught by William Lloyd Evans.
By 1932 he had become full professor and the chief of the organic division of the department of chemistry, a position he would occupy for over 25 years.
His work in this position is recognized as influential in establishing the university's role in organic chemistry research.
[1][2][3] Starting in 1932 he recruited young scientists to expand the department, including C. Frederick Koelsch, Paul Doughty Bartlett, and later Richard T.
[1][2] Smith served on a number of editorial boards and was the president of the American Chemical Society's organic division in 1941–2.