Career
Born in Vinje, he moved to Førde where he served as a barrister from 1867 ti 1881, and as major from 1874 to 1881. He was one of the founders of the newspaper Nordre Bergenhus Amtstidende in 1872 and Florø Træplantningsselskab. There is a street named for him in the town.
He then moved to Brevik where he also was elected as a parliamentarian.
He turned down a seat in Stang"s Cabinet. During the late 1880s, Smitt was one of the main proponents of the Brevik Lincolnshire, but died before Parliament passed the line in 1892.