William Robert Smith

William Robert Smith (August 18, 1863 – August 16, 1924) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician who served seven terms as a United States representative from Texas from 1903 to 1917. He also served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas from 1917 to 1924.

Education and career

Born on August 18, 1863, near Tyler in Smith County, Texas, Smith attended the country schools, then graduated from Sam Houston Normal Institute (now Sam Houston State University) in 1883 and read law in 1885. He was Chairman of the Committee on Irrigation of Arid Lands in the 62nd through 64th United States Congresses. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1916. He moved to El Paso, Texas in October 1916 and returned to the private practice of law.

Federal judicial service

Smith was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson on April 11, 1917, to the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, to a new seat authorized by 39 Stat. 938. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 12, 1917, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on August 16, 1924, due to his death in El Paso, Texas. He was interred in Evergreen Cemetery in El Paso.