Smith was born on July 9, 1933, in Kilmacolm, Scotland. He was educated at The Choate School (now Choate Rosemary Hall) in Wallingford, Connecticut and at Williams College, where he earned a B.A. in American history and literature in 1955.
Smith was born on July 9, 1933, in Kilmacolm, Scotland. He attended The Choate School (now Choate Rosemary Hall) in Wallingford, Connecticut, and Williams College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American history and literature.