Eldest son of Stephen Catterson Smith, was born on 19th June, 1849, at 42 St. Stephen's Green. He was educated at Dr. Rice's school in Harcourt Street, and afterwards studied with private tutors for entrance to the army; but, owing to financial losses which his father sustained at this time, he was obliged to forego his intention of adopting the military profession, and he settled down as an artist in his father's studio. He made his first appearance as an exhibitor in the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1871 with "a Portrait," and thenceforth almost to the end of his life was a regular exhibitor.

On his father's death in 1872 he succeeded to most of his connection as a portrait painter, and painted many persons of note in Ireland; a number of his works are in public institutions in Dublin. Besides portraits he exhibited landscapes chiefly of Scottish scenery, the results of his annual visits to Scotland. He was elected an Associate of the Academy on 18th March, 1876, and a Member on 20th April, 1879. For twenty years he held the position of Secretary to the Academy, and was always deeply interested in its welfare; and it owed much to his knowledge, experience and sound judgment.

While in Edinburgh in 1905, in connection with the exhibition of Watts's pictures, which he was mainly instrumental in organising for the Hibernian Academy, he caught a severe cold, which permanently affected his health and rendered him comparatively an invalid for the remaining years of his life. He died on Sunday, the 24th November, 1912, at his residence, 42 St. Stephen's Green, in the same room in which he had been born, and was buried in Deans Grange cemetery. He was painting almost to the last, and left a nearly completed portrait on his easel. He was survived by his wife Henrietta, daughter of John Aitken of Edinburgh, whom he married in 1873, and his only son Stephen, a barrister. Smith was a conscientious and painstaking artist; his portraits were soundly painted, though often lacking in vigour and strength, and weak and timid in colour.