Talbot Smith

Talbot Smith (October 11, 1899 – December 21, 1978) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Early life

Smith was born on October 11, 1899, in Fayette, Missouri. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1920. He graduated with a Master of Science from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1928. He received a Juris Doctor from University of Michigan Law School in 1934.

He was in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant from 1917 to 1931. He was an engineer with the Atlantic Refining Company in 1931.

Career After attending law school, Smith established a legal practice in Detroit, Michigan from 1934 to 1937.

Smith was in private practice in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1944 to 1945.

Wallace Riley, one of Smith’s former law clerks, described him as possessing “the infinite patience of a great teacher, the forgiveness of a minister, the sternness of a Naval officer, and the inspiration of a saint.”

Smith died on December 21, 1978.