Thomas Francis Smith (July 24, 1865 – April 11, 1923) was a lawyer, newspaperman, and politician from New York. From 1917 to 1921, he served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Thomas Francis Smith
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
In office
April 12, 1917 – March 3, 1921
Preceded byMichael F. Conry
Succeeded byWilliam Bourke Cockran
Constituency15th district (1917–1919)
16th district (1919–1921)
Personal details
Born(1865-07-24)July 24, 1865
New York City
DiedApril 11, 1923(1923-04-11) (aged 57)
New York City
Political partyDemocratic Party
Alma materManhattan College
New York Law School
OccupationAttorney
reporter

Biography

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Smith was born in New York City on July 24, 1865. He attended St. Francis Xavier College, Manhattan College, and the New York Law School from 1899 to 1901. He subsequently became a reporter on the staff of the New York World and the New York Tribune, and then a clerk of the city court in 1898–1917. Smith was admitted to the bar in 1911 and commenced practice in New York City.

Political career

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Smith began his political career as a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1915 and to the Democratic National Convention in 1916. He was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-fifth United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Michael F. Conry, and was reelected to the Sixty-sixth, to serve from April 12, 1917, to March 3, 1921. Smith was not a candidate for renomination in 1920.

Later career and death

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After Congress, Smith became the public administrator of New York from April 1, 1921, until his death in a taxicab accident in New York City on April 11, 1923. Smith was interred in Calvary Cemetery, in Long Island City, New York.

Sources

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  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

  • United States Congress. "SMITH, Thomas Francis (id: S000619)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 15th congressional district

April 12, 1917 – March 3, 1919
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 16th congressional district

March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1921
Succeeded by