Career
He represented Kent in the Canadian House of Commons from 1882 to 1887 as a Conservative member. He was born in Chatham, Upper Canada, the son of William B. Smyth, a native of Ireland, and was educated there and at the Caradoc Academy. Smyth served as school trustee, town councillor, deputy reeve and reeve.
He was also mayor of Chatham from 1869 to 1870 and in 1876.
He was unsuccessful when he ran for reelection in 1887 and 1888.