Painter of atmospheric landscapes, born and based in London, who spent several early childhood years with his mother in New Zealand, returning to live with his grandmother. Was educated at Leamington College and Cambridge University, abandoned the idea of an Army career, then studied art alone on the continent. His only lessons were from Fred Brown at Westminster School of Art and in Italy. Smyth had early success, in 1894 joining the RBA and showing at RA; having a solo show at Dowdeswell Galleries in 1899; in 1904 joining the ROI. He became its president, also of the London Sketch Club of which he was a founder-member in 1898. In 1905 Smyth travelled through China and Japn, resulting pictures illustrating books on the countries and forming the basis of a solo exhibition at Baillie Gallery, 1906.