Background
Smith was born at Barnet, Hertfordshire, the son of Review Thomas Tunstall Smith then curate there, who became vicar of Wirksworth for 42 years, and his wife Lucy Mary le Blanc.
Smith was born at Barnet, Hertfordshire, the son of Review Thomas Tunstall Smith then curate there, who became vicar of Wirksworth for 42 years, and his wife Lucy Mary le Blanc.
He was educated at Radley College.
Though he rowed at Oxford, he was only a reserve for the Oxford crews in the Boat Race. After university, he joined the London Stock Exchange. In 1878 Smith was the first secretary of the Metropolitan Rowing Association, which was to become the Amateur Rowing Association
Smith was on the management committee for the 1908 Summer Olympics where the rowing events were held at Henley.
Smith married firstly Lucy Smith in 1869 - died 1914 and secondly Eveline Caroline Mary Ellis.
Smith, nicknamed "Slebs", joined London Rowing Club and was a member of the crews that won the Stewards" Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta every year from 1872 to 1878. He also won Silver Goblets in 1876 with Francis Gulston although in 1877 with Frank Lumley Playford, he was runner up to James Hastie and West H Eyre of Thames Rowing Club.