 Smith graduated from Harvard College in 1774, studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced.Smith was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1789 and 1790 and served in the Massachusetts State Senate from 1792 to 1794 and in 1797.He was State treasurer in 1797,

Smith was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Seventh Congress, serving from March 4, 1801 to March 3, 1803.