Frederick Smith, the son of a barrister, was born at Birkenhead on 12th July 1872. After his education at Wadham College, Oxford, and Gray's Inn, he followed his father into law.

In the 1906 General Election he won the Walton seat for the Conservative Party. A brilliant orator, he led the campaign in the House of Commons against Irish Home Rule.

On the outbreak of the First World War Smith was placed in charge of the government's Press Bureau where he was responsible for censoring newspaper reports on the fighting. In May, 1915, Herbert Asquith appointed Smith as Solicitor-General in his coalition government. He was promoted to Attorney-General in October, 1915.

David Lloyd George granted him the title of Baron Birkenhead in January 1919 and served in his Cabinet as Lord Chancellor (January 1919 - October 1922). Birkenhead also held the post of Secretary of State for India in the Conservative Government headed by Stanley Baldwin.

After retiring from politics he was Rector of Aberdeen University and a director of Tate & Lyle. Frederick Smith died 30th September 1930.

 

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