Background
Smythe was the son of Thomas Smythe, 1st Viscount Strangford of Westenhanger and Sturry, Kent and his wife Lady Barbara Sidney, the daughter of Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester.
Smythe was the son of Thomas Smythe, 1st Viscount Strangford of Westenhanger and Sturry, Kent and his wife Lady Barbara Sidney, the daughter of Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester.
He inherited the title on the death of his father in 1635. Smythe died at the age of 74.
In 1660, Smythe was elected Member of Parliament for Hythe in the Convention Parliament.