Background
He was appointed President of Douai College, in succession to Francis Gage, on 28 August 1682, and while in that post he inherited a large estate from his father (most of which he granted to a younger brother).
He was appointed President of Douai College, in succession to Francis Gage, on 28 August 1682, and while in that post he inherited a large estate from his father (most of which he granted to a younger brother).
Born at Winchester in 1645, he was educated at the English College, Douai, and was created Doctor of Divinity on 5 February 1680.
In 1687 he was nominated by James II to be one of the four vicars-apostolic of England, each of whom had an annual stipend of £1,000. He was elected by Propaganda on 12 January 1678, and was consecrated at Somerset House on 13 May 1688 as titular bishop of Calliopolis. After his consecration he went to his vicariate, arriving on 2 August at York, where he was received by the secular and regular clergy, who sang the Te Deum.
In one of his visitations Smith was deprived of his large crozier by Thomas Osborne, Earl of Danby, who deposited it in York Minster.
On the flight of the king, Smith left York and sought refuge in the house of Francis Tunstall of Wycliffe, who gave him hospitality and protection till the time of his death. In 1700 it was contemplated that he should be promoted to the cardinalate and to the office of Protector of England, which had been vacant since the death of Cardinal Howard.
The Duke of Berwick and Doctor George Witham were commissioned from Saint Germains to solicit this appointment from Clement XI. Smith died at Wycliffe on 13 May 1711.