Smith was born in Warton in Warwickshire, England and moved to Melbourne with his family as a child in 1856.
He followed his father into the hatting trade, apprenticing and then working as a journeyman in that field, during which time he became treasurer of the Silk Hatters' Union.
Smith was elected to the City of South Melbourne council in 1885 and served for sixteen years, including a term as mayor in 1888–1889.
[1][2][3][4][5] Smith was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the member for Emerald Hill in 1889.
[6][7][8][9][5] Smith was elected to the City of Port Melbourne council in August 1902, five months after his parliamentary retirement.