William Forgan Smith was born on 15 April 1887 in Scotland. He apprenticed as a painter and decorator and later joined the Scottish Labor Party. Smith migrated to Mackay, Queensland, in 1911 and worked as a painter and decorator. He married Euphemia Margaret Wilson in 1913; they had two sons. In 1915, Smith won the Queensland electorate seat of Mackay and moved to Brisbane, Queensland. From 1925 to 1929, Smith was made secretary for agriculture and stock. In 1929 he became the leader of the Opposition and in 1932 he was elected as premier, chief secretary and treasurer of Queensland. Throughout his premiership Smith displayed a personal concern with the development of the University of Queensland. He was appointed chancellor of the university in 1944 and remained so until his death. Smith retired from government in 1942, becoming the state's longest serving premier and having continuously held the seat of Mackay. He died suddenly in 1953 and was survived by his wife and younger son. A state funeral was conducted in Brisbane, Queensland.