John Smith is a common personal name. It is also commonly used as a

placeholder name Placeholder names are intentionally overly generic and ambiguous terms referring to things, places, or people, the names of which or of whom do not actually exist; are temporarily forgotten, or are unimportant; or in order to avoid stigmat ...

and

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true meaning ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individual's o ...

, and is sometimes used in the United States and the United Kingdom as a term for an average person. Notable people with the name include:

People

:''In chronological order.''

Academics

* John Smith (anatomist and chemist) (1721–1797), professor of anatomy and chemistry at the University of Oxford, 1767–1797 *

John Blair Smith John Blair Smith (June 12, 1756 – August 22, 1799) was born in Pequea, Pennsylvania, Pequea, Pennsylvania Colony, the son of the Rev. Robert Smith, who ran a celebrated academy there. Like his older brother, John Blair Smith was valedictorian o ...

(1764–1799), president of Union College, New York * John Smith (Cambridge, 1766), vice chancellor of the University of Cambridge, 1766 until 1767 * John Smith (astronomer) (1711–1795), Lowndean Professor of Astronomy and Master of Caius *

John Smith (antiquary) John Smith (1747 – 26 June 1807) was a Scottish antiquarian and Gaelic scholar. Biography Smith was born in 1747 at Croft Brackley in the parish of Glenorchy in Argyllshire. He studied for the ministry at the university of St. Andrews, and wa ...

(1747–1807), Scottish antiquary and Gaelic scholar *

John Smith (professor of languages) John Smith (December 21, 1751 Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="Old Style and New Style dates">O.S. December 10 pril 30, 1809) was a professor of ancient languages at Dartmouth College and author of the first unpointed Hebrew grammar ...

(1752–1809), professor of languages at Dartmouth College * John Augustine Smith (1782–1865), president of the College of William and Mary, 1814–1826 *

John Smith (botanist) John Smith (1798–1888) was a British botanist who was the first curator at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew Gardens), starting in 1841. He had first been employed at the gardens as a stove boy (stoking stoves to warm the greenhouses) in 1822. ...

(1798–1888), curator of Kew Gardens * John Smith (physician) (c.1800–1879), Scottish physician specialising in treating the insane * John Alexander Smith (physician) (1818–1883), Scottish physician, antiquarian, archaeologist and ornithologist * J. Lawrence Smith (chemist) (1818–1883), American doctor and chemist *

John Smith (dentist) John Smith (1825–1910) was a Scottish dentist, philanthropist and pioneering educator. The founder of the Edinburgh school of dentistry, he served as president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (1883) and president of the Briti ...

(1825–1910), founder of Edinburgh's School of Dentistry * John Campbell Smith (1828–1914), Scottish writer, advocate and Sheriff-Substitute of Forfarshire *

John Donnell Smith Captain John Donnell Smith (June 5, 1829 – December 2, 1928) of Baltimore, Maryland was an American biologist and taxonomist. He was also an officer in the Confederate army. He was a graduate of Yale in 1847, where he was a member of Skull and ...

(1829–1928), biologist and taxonomist *

John McGarvie Smith John McGarvie Smith (8 February 1844 – 6 September 1918) was an Australian metallurgist, bacteriologist and benefactor. Biography Smith was born in Sydney, the eldest surviving of thirteen children of Scots parents David Milne Smith, tailor ...

(1844–1918), Australian metallurgist and bacteriologist *

John Bernhardt Smith John Bernhardt Smith (November 21, 1858 – March 12, 1912) was an American professor of entomology who specialized in systematics and economic entomology while also serving as the State Entomologist of New Jersey. Smith is remembered in insect t ...

(1858–1912), American entomologist *

John Alexander Smith John Alexander Smith (21 April 1863 – 19 December 1939) was a British idealist philosopher, who was the Jowett Lecturer of philosophy at Balliol College, Oxford from 1896 to 1910, and Waynflete Professor of Moral and Metaphysical Philosoph ...

(1863–1939), British Idealist philosopher * John Cyril Smith (1922–2003), leading authority on English criminal law * John Derek Smith (1924–2003), Cambridge molecular biologist *

John Smith (sociologist) John Harold Smith (1927–2002) was an English sociologist. He was Professor of Sociology at the University of Southampton from 1964 to 1991. Early life Born in Folkestone on 21 April 1927, Smith attended Harvey Grammar School; during World W ...

(1927–2002), English sociologist * John D. Smith (born 1946), indologist at the University of Cambridge * John H. Smith (mathematician), Boston College educator (retired 2005) * John E. Sharwood Smith, English professor of classics *

John Edwin Smith John Edwin Smith (May 27, 1921 - December 7, 2009) was an American philosopher and Clark Professor of Philosophy at Yale University. He served as president of the American Philosophical Society, Eastern Division, the American Theological Societ ...

(1921–2009), American philosopher *

John Merlin Powis Smith John Merlin Powis Smith (28 December 1866 – November 1932) was an English-born, American orientalist and biblical scholar. Smith was born in London, son of William Martin and Anne Powis Smith. He was orphaned at age five and thereafter raised ...

(1866–1932), English-born, American orientalist and biblical scholar

Arts

John Smith (engraver) John Smith () was an English mezzotint engraver and print seller. Closely associated with the portrait painter Godfrey Kneller, Smith was one of leading exponents of the mezzotint medium during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and was re ...

(1652–1742), English mezzotint engraver *

John Smith (English poet) John Smith (1662–1717) was an English poet and playwright. Life He was the son of John Smith of Barton, Gloucestershire, and in 1676 became a chorister of Magdalen College, Oxford, matriculating on 10 July 1679. He graduated B.A. in 1683, M. ...

(1662–1717), English poet and playwright *

John Christopher Smith John Christopher Smith (born Johann Christoph Schmidt; 1712, Ansbach, Germany3 October 1795, Bath) was an English composer who, following in his father's footsteps, became George Frideric Handel's secretary, student and amanuensis. Life John Ch ...

(1712–1795), English composer *

John Warwick Smith John "Warwick" Smith (26 July 1749 – 22 March 1831) was a British watercolour landscape painter and illustrator. Life and work Smith was born at Irthington, near Carlisle, Cumbria, Carlisle, Cumberland, the son of a gardener to the ...

(1749–1831), British watercolour landscape painter and illustrator *

John Stafford Smith John Stafford Smith (bapt. 30 March 175021 September 1836) was an English composer, church organist, and early musicologist. He was one of the first serious collectors of manuscripts of works by Johann Sebastian Bach and a friend of his son Jo ...

(1750–1836), composer of the tune for "The Star-Spangled Banner" *

John Raphael Smith John Raphael Smith (25 May 1751 – 2 March 1812) was a British Painting, painter and mezzotinter. He was the son of Thomas Smith (English painter), Thomas Smith of Derby, the landscape painter, and father of John Rubens Smith, a painter who e ...

(1751–1812), English mezzotint engraver and painter * John Thomas Smith (engraver) (1766–1833), draughtsman, engraver and antiquarian * John Smith (clockmaker) (1770–1816), Scottish clockmaker *

John Rubens Smith John Rubens Smith (January 23, 1775 – August 21, 1849) was a London-born Painting, painter, printmaker and art instructor who worked in the United States. Biography Smith was born in London where he first studied art with his father, John Rap ...

(1775–1849), London-born painter, printmaker and art instructor who worked in the United States *

John Smith (architect) John Smith (1781 – 22 July 1852) was a Scottish architect. His career started in 1805 and he was appointed as the official city architect of Aberdeen in 1807, the first person to hold this post. Together with Archibald Simpson, he c ...

(1781–1852), Scottish architect *

John Smith Murdoch John Smith Murdoch (29 September 186221 May 1945) was a Scottish architect who practised in Australia from the 1880s until 1930. Employed by the newly formed Commonwealth Public Works Department in 1904, he rose to become chief architect, ...

(1862–1945), Scottish architect *

John Smith (art historian) John Smith (1781–1855) was a 19th-century British art dealer who developed the concept of the catalogue raisonné. Smith was born in London. He began dealing in art as a framemaker, specializing in wood-carving and gilding.ccessed ..., Gabri ...

(1781–1855), British art dealer * John Orrin Smith (1799–1843), English wood engraver * John Frederick Smith (1806–1890), English novelist * John Rowson Smith (1810–1864), American panorama painter * John Kelday Smith (1834–1889), Scottish bellhanger and songwriter * John G. Smith (poet) (died 1891), Scottish poet * John Moyr Smith (1839–1912), British artist and designer *

John Berryman John Allyn McAlpin Berryman (born John Allyn Smith, Jr.; October 25, 1914 – January 7, 1972) was an American poet and scholar. He was a major figure in American poetry in the second half of the 20th century and is considered a key figure in th ...

(1914–1972), originally John Allyn Smith, American poet * John Smith (Canadian poet) (1927–2018), Canadian poet *

John Smith (actor) John Smith (born Robert Errol Van Orden, March 6, 1931 – January 25, 1995) was an American actor primarily appearing in westerns and was considered the ideal cowboy. He had his leading roles in two NBC western television series, '' Cimarro ...

(1931–1995), American actor * John N. Smith (born 1943), Canadian film director and screenwriter *

John Smith (English filmmaker) John Smith (born 1952, Walthamstow, East London, England) is a British avant garde filmmaker and professor of Fine Art based in London. His work has been noted for his use of humour in exploring various themes that often play upon the film spe ...

(born 1952), avant-garde filmmaker * John Warner Smith (born 1952), American poet and educator * John F. Smith, American soap opera writer and producer *

John Smith (comics writer) John Smith (born 1967) is a People of the United Kingdom, British comic book writer best known for his work on the weekly anthology ''2000 AD (comics), 2000 AD'' and its spin-off title ''Crisis (Fleetway), Crisis'', particularly the ''Indigo P ...

(born 1967), British comics writer * John Smith (folk musician), English contemporary folk musician and recording artist * John F. Smith (musician) (born 1950), British musician and trade unionist * John Smith (comedian), British comedian, actor and performer * John Noel Smith (born 1952), Irish artist

Business

* John Smith (banker) (1797–1866), Scottish banker and philanthropist, working in England * John K. Smith (died 1845), founder of SmithKline as in GlaxoSmithKline, the leading pharmaceutical business * John Russell Smith (1810–1894), English bookseller and bibliographer * John J. Smith (1820–1906), African-American abolitionist, Underground Railroad contributor and politician *

John Smith (brewer) John Smith (18 March 1824 – 9 September 1879) was an English brewer. He is best known for establishing the John Smith's Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, which continues to operate. History Smith was born in Leeds on 18 March 1824; the e ...

(1824–1879), Tadcaster brewery founder in North Yorkshire, UK * John L. Smith (pharmaceutical executive) (1889–1950), German-born American chemist, pharmaceutical executive and Major League Baseball team owner * John F. Smith Jr. (born 1938), former chairman and chief executive officer, General Motors * John Smith (BBC executive) (born 1957), former chief executive officer, BBC Worldwide Ltd

Crime

John Smith (housebreaker) John Smith (after 1727), also known by the alias John Wilson, was a London housebreaker, most notable for his three evasions of execution. His first evasion earned him the nickname of Half-hanged Smith. Biography Early life and career John S ...

(1661–after 1727), London housebreaker who evaded hanging thrice and was eventually transported to Virginia * John Smith (died 1835) (1795–1835), one of the last two Englishmen who were hanged for sodomy in 1835 * John Eldon Smith (1930–1983), convicted of the murders of Ronald and Juanita Akins * John Smith (murderer) (born 1951), American convicted murderer who killed his first and second wives

Law

Jack Smith (lawyer) John Luman Smith (born June 5, 1969) is an American attorney who has served in the United States Department of Justice as an assistant U.S. attorney, acting U.S. attorney, and head of the department's Public Integrity Section. He was also th ...

(born John Luman Smith in 1969), American lawyer * John Smith (South African judge) (born 1958), South African judge * John Gordon Smith (surgeon) (1792–1833), Scottish surgeon and professor of medical jurisprudence * John Sidney Smith (legal writer) (1804–1871), English legal writer *

John William Smith (legal writer) John William Smith (1809–1845) was an English barrister, known as a legal writer. Life Born in Chapel Street, Belgrave Square, London, on 23 January 1809, he was eldest son of John Smith, who was appointed in 1830 paymaster of the forces in Ir ...

(1809–1845), English barrister and legal writer * John Witherspoon Smith (1778–1829), American lawyer * John Smalman Smith, (1847–1914) British judge in the Colony of Lagos * John Lewis Smith Jr. (1912–1992), United States federal judge * John Smith (police officer) (born 1938), British police officer, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, 1991–1995

Military

John Smith (banneret) Sir John Smith of Skilts (1616–1644) was an Englishman who supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War. He is best known for recapturing the Royal Standard at the Battle of Edgehill, a deed for which he was made a knight banneret by Ki ...

(1616–1644), Englishman who supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War * John Smith (British Army officer, born 1754) (1754–1837), soldier in the American Revolutionary War * John Smith (naval officer) (1780–1815), United States Navy officer, who served during the First Barbary War and later in the War of 1812 * Frederick Smith (British Army officer, born 1790) (John Mark Frederick Smith, 1790–1874), British general and colonel-commandant of the Royal Engineers *

John Smith (sergeant) John Smith (February 1814 – 26 June 1864) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Born in Derbyshire ...

(1814–1864), soldier in the Bengal Sappers and Miners, and Indian Mutiny Victoria Cross recipient * John E. Smith (1816–1897), Swiss emigrant, Union general during the Civil War * John Smith (private) (1822–1866), soldier in the 1st Madras (European) Fusiliers and Indian Mutiny Victoria Cross recipient * John Smith (Medal of Honor, born 1826) (1826–1907), American Civil War sailor and Medal of Honor recipient * John Smith (Medal of Honor, born 1831) (1831–?), American Civil War sailor and Medal of Honor recipient * John Smith (Medal of Honor, born 1854) (1854–?), United States Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient *

John Malcolm Smith John Malcolm Smith (April 2, 1922 – June 9, 1981) was an American Fighter pilot, combat pilot and United States Navy Fighter aircraft, fighter flying ace, ace during World War II. He was credited with shooting down 10 Japanese aircraft during t ...

(1922–1981), American combat pilot and United States Navy fighter ace * John Manners Smith (1864–1920), recipient of the Victoria Cross * John Smith (flying ace) (1914–1972), United States Marine Corps flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient

Politicians

Australia

John Smith (Victoria politician) John Thomas Smith (28 May 1816 – 30 January 1879) was an Australian politician and seven times Mayor of Melbourne. Early life Smith was born at Sydney, the son of John Smith, a Scottish shoemaker, and his wife Elizabeth, ''née'' Biggs.Jill ...

(John Thomas Smith, 1816–1879), Mayor of Melbourne *

John Smith (New South Wales politician, born 1811) John Smith (25 May 1811 – 1 January 1895) was an English-born Australian pastoralist and politician. He was born at St Keverne in Cornwall to farmer John Smith and Elizabeth Cock. He emigrated to Sydney in 1836, and became a station superi ...

(1811–1895), pastoralist and member of the New South Wales Legislative Council *

John Smith (New South Wales politician, born 1821) John Smith Order of St Michael and St George, CMG (12 December 1821 – 12 October 1885) was a professor of chemistry and experimental physics at the University of Sydney, and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council. Background S ...

(1821–1885), Scottish/Australian professor and member of the New South Wales Legislative Council * John Samuel Smith (1841–1882), pastoralist and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (Wellington) * John Gordon Smith (politician) (1863–1921), member of the Queensland Legislative Council *

John Henry Smith (politician) John Henry "Jack" Smith (16 June 1881 – 18 January 1953) was an Australian politician who was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1921 to 1936 and again from 1939 to 1943, on both occasions representing the seat of ...

(1881–1953), member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia

Canada

* John David Smith (1786–1849), businessman and political figure in Upper Canada *John Smith, 1800s Cree Chief and Treaty Six signatory; founder of the

Muskoday First Nation The Muskoday First Nation (, formerly the John Smith First Nation) is a First Nation band government in Saskatchewan, Canada, composed of Cree and Saulteaux peoples. The First Nation has a registered population of 1,828 people as of September 2 ...

in Saskatchewan * John Shuter Smith (c. 1813–1871), lawyer and political figure in Canada West * John Smith (Kent MPP), member of the 1st Ontario Legislative Assembly, 1867–1871 * John Smith (Manitoba politician) (1817–1889), English-born farmer and politician in Manitoba *

John Smith (Peel MPP) John Smith (October 27, 1831 – March 5, 1909) was a Scottish-born Ontario businessman and political figure. He represented Peel in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1893 to 1908 as a Liberal member. He was born in Inverness in 1831 ...

(1831–1909), Scottish-born Ontario businessman and political figure * John Smith (Ontario MP) (1894–1977), member of Canadian House of Commons, Lincoln electoral district * Jack Smith (politician) (John Eachern Smith, 1901–1967), Canadian politician and newspaper editor * John James Smith (1912–1987), member of Canadian House of Commons, Moose Mountain, Saskatchewan electoral district * John Donald Smith (1919–1997), Canadian politician in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia * John Roxburgh Smith (1938–2018), Canadian politician in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario * John W. Y. Smith (1869–1936), member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick *

John David Smith (Ontario politician) John David Smith was a Canadian politician from Ontario. He was elected for Victoria North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 1875 election. Months after the election he was unseated Unseating is a political term which refers to a ...

, MPP

United Kingdom

* John Smith alias Dyer (1498/99–1571), member of parliament (MP) for Ipswich *

John Smith (High Sheriff of Kent) Sir John Smith or Smythe, Justice of the peace, JP (Sep. 1557 – 29 October 1608), of Westenhanger, Kent, was an English politician. He was the eldest surviving son of Thomas Smythe (died 1591), Thomas Smythe, a London haberdasher who was a ...

(1557–1608), MP for Aylesbury and Hythe * John Smith (steward of Berkeley) (1567–1640), English genealogical antiquary and politician who sat in the House of Commons, 1621–1622 *

John Smith (explorer) John Smith ( – 21 June 1631) was an English soldier, explorer, colonial governor, admiral of New England, and author. He was knighted for his services to Sigismund Báthory, Prince of Transylvania, and his friend Mózes Székely. Following ...

(1580–1631), helped found the Virginia Colony and became Colonial Governor of Virginia *Sir John Smith of Grothill (c. 1600 – c. 1675), 17th-century Scottish landowner, merchant and Lord Provost of Edinburgh * John Smith (Cavalier, born 1608) (1608–1657), English politician who sat in the House of Commons, 1640–1644 *

John Smith (Chancellor of the Exchequer) John Smith (1656–1723) of Tedworth House, Hampshire, was an English politician who sat in the English and British House of Commons between 1678 and 1723. He served as Speaker and twice as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Early life Smith was t ...

(1655/56–1723), English Chancellor of the Exchequer and Speaker of the House of Commons, 1705–1708 *

John Smith (English judge) John Smith (1657–1726) was an English barrister and judge. Life The son of Roger Smith of Frolesworth, Leicestershire, he was born on 6 January 1657, and matriculated at Lincoln College, Oxford, on 12 September 1676, at the age of 19. He ente ...

(1657–1726), Justice of Common Pleas in Ireland until 1702, then Baron of the Exchequer *

John Smith (Southampton MP) John Smith was an English politician who was Member of Parliament for Southampton from 1698 to 1700 in the third Parliament of William III of England William III (William Henry; ; 4 November 1650 – 8 March 1702), also known as William o ...

, MP for Southampton from 1698 to 1700 * John Smith (Bath MP) (1727–1775), MP for Bath * John Smith (Deputy Governor of Anguilla) (died 1776), Deputy Governor of Anguilla *

John Smith (Wendover MP) John Smith (6 September 1767 – 20 January 1842) was a British politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1806 to 1835 and a banker. Biography Early life John Smith was born on 6 September 1767. He was the sixth son of Abel Smith II (1 ...

(1767–1842), member of Parliament for Wendover *

John Hilary Smith John Hilary Smith, (born 20 March 1928) is a British retired colonial administrator. Smith was the last governor of the united Gilbert and Ellice Islands before it was divided into Tuvalu and what later became Kiribati. Smith was educated at ...

(born 1928), colonial governor and administrator *

John Spencer Smith John Spencer Smith Fellow of the Royal Society, FRS (11 September 1769 – 5 June 1845) was a British diplomat, politician and writer. Husband of Constance Smith (née Herbert) (Byron's Florence). Career Smith joined the British Army in 1790 as ...

(1769–1845), British diplomat, politician, and writer *

John Benjamin Smith John Benjamin Smith (7 February 1794 – 15 September 1879) was an English Liberal Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1847 to 1874. Life Smith was the son of Benjamin Smith, a merchant of Manchester. He was himself a merchan ...

(1796–1879), British Liberal MP for Stirling Burghs 1847–1852 and Stockport 1852–1874 *

John Abel Smith John Abel Smith (2 June 1802 – 7 January 1871) was a British Member of Parliament (MP) for Chichester and Midhurst. He was the son of John Smith who preceded him as one of the members of parliament for Midhurst. Smith married Anne Jervoise ...

(1802–1871), British Member of Parliament for Chichester and Midhurst *

John Smith (Conservative politician) Sir John Lindsay Eric Smith (3 April 1923 – 28 February 2007) was a British banker, Conservative Party (UK), Conservative Member of Parliament, and Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire. He was involved with many architectural, industrial and maritim ...

(1923–2007), MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, founded the Landmark Trust * John Smith, Baron Kirkhill (1930–2023), life peer in the House of Lords *

John Smith (Labour Party leader) John Smith (13 September 1938 – 12 May 1994) was a Scottish politician who was Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party from July 1992 until his death in May 1994. He was also Member of Parliament (MP) for Monklands East. ...

(1938–1994), leader of the British Labour Party * John Smith (Welsh politician) (born 1951), Welsh politician and Labour Party member of Parliament

United States

John Smith (President of Rhode Island) John Smith (died 1663) was an early colonial settler and President of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He lived in Boston, but was later an inhabitant of Warwick in the Rhode Island colony where he was a merchant, stonemas ...

(died 1663), colonial president (governor) of Rhode Island * John Smith (Virginia burgess) (1620–1663), Virginia colonial politician *

John Smith (Ohio politician, died 1824) John Smith (July 30, 1824) was one of the first two U.S. senators from the state of Ohio. He reluctantly resigned from the Senate under charges of alleged complicity in the Burr conspiracy. Little is known of his early life. There are conflicti ...

(c. 1735–1824), United States senator from Ohio * John Smith (Virginia representative) (1750–1836), United States representative from Virginia's 3rd Congressional District *

John Smith (New York politician, born 1752) John Smith (February 12, 1752 – August 12, 1816) was an American politician who served as a United States senator from New York from 1804 to 1813. He previously was the U.S. representative for New York's 1st congressional district from 1800 t ...

(1752–1816), United States senator from New York *

John Cotton Smith John Cotton Smith (February 12, 1765 – December 7, 1845) was an American lawyer, judge and politician from Connecticut. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, as the 27th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut and as ...

(1765–1845), eighth Governor of Connecticut * John Smith (Vermont politician) (1789–1858), United States representative from Vermont's 4th Congressional District *

John Speed Smith John Speed Smith (July 1, 1792 – June 6, 1854) was an attorney and politician, a U.S. Representative from Kentucky, and a state representative for several terms, as well as state senator. He served for four years as a US District Attorney. He ...

(1792–1854), United States representative from Kentucky * John T. Smith (congressman) (1801–1864), United States representative from Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, 1843–1845 * John B. Smith (Wisconsin politician) (1811–1879), Wisconsin politician * John Derby Smith (1812–1884), minister, physician, and Massachusetts state legislator * J. Lawrence Smith (New York politician) (1816–1889), New York lawyer, assemblyman, district attorney, county judge * J. Gregory Smith (1818–1891), governor of Vermont * John Armstrong Smith (1814–1892), United States representative from Ohio * John Hugh Smith (1819–1870), three-time mayor of Nashville, Tennessee between 1845 and 1865 * J. Hyatt Smith (1824–1886), United States representative from New York's 3rd Congressional District *

John Quincy Smith John Quincy Smith (November 5, 1824 – December 30, 1901) was an American farmer, politician and legislator from Ohio. He served in the United States House of Representatives for one term from 1873 to 1875, as well as commissioner of Indian ...

(1824–1901), United States representative from Ohio's 3rd Congressional District *

John Lyman Smith John Lyman Smith (November 17, 1828 – February 21, 1898) was an American politician and Mormon missionary. He served as a member of the House of Representatives for Iron County, Utah, in the Utah territorial legislature from 1852 to 1853, and ...

(1828–1898), member of the 2nd Utah Territorial Legislature * John Y. T. Smith (1831–1903), three time member of Arizona Territorial Legislature * John C. Smith (politician) (1832–1910), Lieutenant Governor of Illinois * John Montgomery Smith (1834–1903), Wisconsin politician * John B. Smith (Washington politician) (1837–1917), Canadian-born American politician in the state of Washington * John Butler Smith (1838–1914), 52nd Governor of New Hampshire * John E. Smith (New York politician) (1843–1907), New York politician * John Day Smith (1845–1933) Minnesota politician, lawyer, and judge *

John Walter Smith John Walter Smith (February 5, 1845April 19, 1925), was an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party in the United States, held several public offices representing the state of Maryland. From 1899 to 1900, he was a U.S. congre ...

(1845–1925), 44th Governor of Maryland * John Ambler Smith (1847–1892), United States representative from Virginia *

John Peter Smith (Montana politician) John Peter Smith (Oct. 1848 – ?) was born in Pennsylvania to immigrant parents with his father from Germany and his mother from France. He moved to Fort Madison, Iowa where he lived with Barbara Green, a widow also from Pennsylvania with Fr ...

(1848–?), mayor of Missoula, Montana *

John Peter Smith (Texas politician) John Peter Smith (September 16, 1831 – April 11, 1901), known as the 'Father of Fort Worth', was born in Owen County, Kentucky, to Samuel and Polly (Bond) Smith. Smith was instrumental in the early prosperity of the city of Fort Worth, its ...

(1831–1901), known as the 'Father of Fort Worth' * John M. C. Smith (1853–1923), United States representative from Michigan's 3rd Congressional District * J. H. Smith (mayor) (1858–1956), mayor of Everett, Washington and co-founder of Anchorage, Alaska * John M. Smith (politician, born 1872) (1872–1947), American businessman and politician * John Smith (Maine politician) (1874-1936), mayor of Saco, Maine * John W. Smith (Detroit mayor) (1882–1942), politician from Detroit * John Lee Smith (1894–1963), Lieutenant Governor of Texas * John R. Smith (agriculture commissioner) (fl. 1898–1899), North Carolina politician * J. Joseph Smith (1904–1980), United States representative from Connecticut and Federal judge * J. Clay Smith Jr. (1942–2018), American lawyer and educator * John Arthur Smith (1941–2024), Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate * John R. Smith (politician, born 1945), Louisiana state senator * John Robert Smith, mayor of Meridian, Mississippi * John Smith (Washington politician) (born 1973), American politician of the Republican Party * John A. Smith (Mississippi politician) (1847–?), American state senator in Mississippi * John P. Smith, general superintendent of the Long Island State Park Commission * John Smith (miller), a founding settler of Providence Plantation (later Rhode Island)

Other countries

* John Hope Smith (c. 1787–1831), governor of colonial Ghana, 1817–22 * John William Smith (politician) (1792–1845), Republic of Texas politician and mayor of San Antonio * J. Valentine Smith (John Valentine Smith, 1824–1895), New Zealand politician

Religion

* John Smith (bishop of Llandaff) (died 1479), Welsh bishop * John Smith (Platonist) (1618–1652), one of the founders of the Cambridge Platonists * John Smith (bishop of Killala and Achonry) (died 1680), Irish Anglican priest * John Smith (Unitarian) (fl. 1648–1727), Unitarian writer * John Smith (priest, born 1659) (1659–1715), English editor of Bede * John Smith (uncle of Joseph Smith) (1781–1854), Presiding Patriarch and member of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints * "Raccoon" John Smith (Restoration Movement) (1784–1868), early Restoration Movement leader *

John Smith (missionary) John Smith (27 June 1790 – 6 February 1824) was an English missionary and abolitionist whose experiences in the British West Indies attracted the attention of the anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce. As a result of his actions, trial ...

(1790–1824), English missionary in Demerara * John Smith (priest, born 1799) (1799–1870), first person to transcribe the Diary of Samuel Pepys *

John Smith (nephew of Joseph Smith) John Smith (September 22, 1832 – November 6, 1911), was the fifth Presiding Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). His father was Hyrum Smith, the older brother of Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of J ...

(1832–1911), Presiding Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints *

John Henry Smith John Henry Smith (September 18, 1848 – October 13, 1911) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was a prominent politician in Utah an ...

(1848–1911), apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints * John Smith (moderator) (1854–1927), moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1922 * John Taylor Smith (1860–1938), Anglican bishop of Sierra Leone * John Smith (archdeacon of Llandaff), Welsh Anglican priest * John Smith (archdeacon of Wiltshire) (1933–2000), Anglican priest * John M. Smith (bishop) (1935–2019), American Roman Catholic bishop * John H. Smith (bishop) (1939–2012), American Episcopal prelate, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, 1989–1999 * John Smith (God's Squad) (died 2019), Australian founder of the God's Squad motorcycle club

Sports

American football

* John "Clipper" Smith (1904–1973), American football player and coach * John Smith (tackle), American football tackle * John L. Smith (born 1948), American college football coach *

John Smith (placekicker) John Michael Smith (born 30 December 1949) is an English-American former American football player who was a placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He debuted with the Patriots in 1974 New England Patriot ...

(born 1949), former New England Patriots kicker * John Smith (running back) (born 1954), American football running back * J. T. Smith (American football) (John Thomas Smith, born 1955), former professional American football player * JuJu Smith-Schuster (born 1996 as John Smith), American football wide receiver

Association football

John Smith (sportsman, born 1855) John Smith (12 August 1855 – 16 November 1934) was a Scottish footballer of the 1870s and 1880s. He is also notable for playing rugby union and was a member of the first British Lions team that toured Australia and New Zealand in 1888. Footb ...

(1855–1934), Scottish footballer and rugby union player *

John Smith (footballer, born 1865) John Smith (19 December 1865 – 23 January 1911) was a Scottish association football, footballer who played as an Inside forward, inside right. Career Smith signed for Kilmarnock F.C., Kilmarnock in November 1887. He moved to Newcastle East End ...

(1865–1911), Scottish football inside-right born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire * Jackie Smith (footballer) (born John Smith, 1886–1916), English footballer for Hull City *

Jack Smith (footballer, born 1898) John William Smith, known as Jack Smith (28 October 1898 – 19 January 1977) was an English international association football, footballer, who played as an inside-right. Career Born in Whitburn, South Tyneside, Whitburn, Smith played for Nort ...

(born John William Smith, 1898–1977), English international footballer born in Whitburn, County Durham *

John Smith (footballer, born 1898) John Smith (born 1898) was a Scottish footballer, who played for Ayr United, Middlesbrough, Cardiff City, Distillery and Scotland; in his sole international appearance in 1924, he was alongside Ayr United teammate Philip McCloy in the Scottish ...

(1898–?), Scottish international footballer for Ayr United and Middlesbrough *

John Richard Smith (footballer, born 1898) John Richard Smith (26 July 1898 – 1986) was an English association football, footballer who played in the English Football League, Football League for Aberdare Athletic F.C., Aberdare Athletic, Bristol City F.C., Bristol City, Fulham F.C., Fu ...

(1898–1986), English footballer *

John Smith (footballer, born 1901) John Smith (born 1901) was an English professional association football, footballer who played as a Forward (association football), forward. Career Born in Eccleshill, West Yorkshire, Eccleshill, Smith moved from Harrogate Amateurs to Bradford ...

, English footballer born in Eccleshill, West Riding of Yorkshire * John Smith (inside-left), English footballer for Port Vale 1932–33 *

John Smith (1930s Gillingham footballer) John Smith was a professional footballer. He began his career with Exeter City in 1935 but failed to break into the club's first team and moved to non-league club Maidstone United. In May 1937 he joined another Kent-based club, Gillingham, and ...

, English footballer who also played for Exeter City and Maidstone United *

Ted Smith (footballer, born 1914) John Edward Smith (1914 – 1989), was an English association football, footballer who played as Defender (Association football), full back, and a coach. Smith represented Millwall F.C. in the late 1930s, he then coached S.L. Benfica, Benfica f ...

(born John Edward Smith, 1914–1989), English football player and manager born in Grays, Essex * John Smith (football chairman) (1920–1995), chairman of Liverpool (1973–90) * John Smith (footballer, born 1921) (1921–?), English footballer born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire *

John Smith (footballer, born 1927) John Smith (21 December 1927 – August 2000) was an English footballer who played as a midfielder for Liverpool in The Football League. Smith played amateur football for Bromborough Pool before he signed for Liverpool in 1951. He made 27 appear ...

(1927–2000), English footballer for Liverpool and Torquay United *

John Smith (footballer, born 1939) John Smith (4 January 1939 – February 1988) was an English footballer. Born in Shoreditch, London, Smith was a product of the Academy of West Ham United. He played for the east London club between 1956 and 1960, playing right half and insi ...

(1939–1988), English footballer born in Shoreditch, London * John Smith (footballer, born 1944), Welsh footballer born in Johnstown, Wrexham * John Smith (footballer, born 1970), English football full back born in Liverpool * John Smith (footballer, born 1971), English football striker born in Wigan, Lancashire

Baseball

* John Smith (shortstop), shortstop, 1873–75 * John Smith (1880s first baseman) (1858–1899), first baseman in 1882 * Phenomenal Smith (John Francis Smith, 1864–1952), American baseball pitcher and manager * John Smith (1930s first baseman) (1906–1982), first baseman in 1931 * John G. Smith (coach) (1924–1998), American college baseball, football and basketball coach * Ford Smith (John Ford Smith, 1919–1983), American Negro leagues pitcher

Basketball

* John Smith (basketball, born 1944), American basketball player known for his American Basketball Association career * John Smith (basketball, born 1969), American college basketball coach * John Smith (basketball, born 1984), American basketball player best known for his college career at Winona State University

Cricket

John Smith (cricketer, born 1833) John Smith (23 March 1833 – 12 February 1909) was an English first-class cricketer. He was a left-handed batsman and left arm round arm fast bowler, who usually fielded at slip or point. Although he was born in Yeadon, West Yorkshire, Yead ...

(1833–1909), Lancashire and Yorkshire cricketer *

John Smith (cricketer, born 1835) John Smith (8 November 1835 – 29 May 1889) was an English cricketer. Smith was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace. He was born at Ruddington, Nottinghamshire. Smith made two first-class appearances for Nottingha ...

(1835–1889), English cricketer *

John Smith (Derbyshire cricketer) John Smith (27 October 1841 — 26 November 1898) was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire from 1871 to 1878. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871. Smith was born in Clifton, Derby and was a ...

(1841–1898), English cricketer, played for Derbyshire *

John Smith (cricketer, born 1843) John Smith (born 20 November 1843 – 15 April 1873) was an English cricketer with Amateur status in first-class cricket#Distinction between amateurs and professionals, professional status. He was associated with Cambridge Town Club and represen ...

(1843–1873), English cricketer, played for Cambridgeshire 1863–72 * John Smith (cricketer, born 1882) (1882–1959), English cricketer, played for Leicestershire 1921 * John Smith (cricketer, born 1919) (1919–1999), New Zealand cricketer *

John Smith (cricketer, born 1924) John Westwood Rowley Smith (28 July 1924 – 12 December 1991) was an English cricketer. Smith was a right-handed batting (cricket), batsman who fielded as a wicket-keeper. He was born at Clarendon Park, Leicester, Clarendon Park, Leicestershir ...

(1924–1991), English cricketer, played for Leicestershire 1950–1955 * John Smith (cricketer, born 1936) (1936–2020), Australian cricketer * John Smith (New Zealand cricketer) (born 1960), New Zealand cricketer also known as Campbell Smith

Rugby

* John Sidney Smith (rugby union) (1860–?), Wales rugby union international *

Johnny Smith (rugby union) John Burns Smith (26 September 1922 – 3 December 1974) was a New Zealand rugby union player, soldier, sportsman and baker. He was an All Black captain, and despite only playing nine matches (including four tests) is recognised as a great. ...

(1922–1974), New Zealand rugby player, baker, soldier, and sportsman * John Smith (rugby league) (), New Zealand international * J. V. Smith (John Vincent Smith, 1926–2021), English rugby player and RFU president *

John Smith (rugby union, born 1926) John Hartley Smith (27 July 1926 — 1 November 2006) was an Irish international rugby union player. Born in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, Smith was educated at Methodist College Belfast and Queen's University Belfast, where he attained a medical degree. ...

(1926–2006), Irish rugby player

Other sports

* John Smith (Canadian rower) (1899–1973), Canadian rower at the 1924 Olympics * John Smith (Australian footballer) (born 1933), footballer for St Kilda * John Smith (Zambian wrestler) (born 1942), Zambian freestyle wrestler at the 1964 Olympics *

John Smith (sprinter) John Walton Smith (born August 5, 1950) is a former American athlete, who competed in the sprints events during his career. He is best known for winning the 400 m event at the 1971 Pan American Games. He remains the world record holder for the ...

(born 1950), American sprint athlete and now coach *

John Smith (American wrestler) John William Smith (born August 9, 1965) is an American folkstyle and freestyle wrestler and coach. Smith was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion, and a six-time world level champion with two Olympic Championships and four World Wr ...

(born 1965), American wrestler, two-time Olympic gold medalist * J. T. Smith (wrestler) (born 1967), American professional wrestler * John Smith (South African rower) (born 1990), South African rower at the 2012 Olympics *

John Suttie Smith John Sutherland Suttie Smith (21 June 1905 – 23 January 1975) was a Scottish long-distance running, long-distance runner who competed at the 1928 Summer Olympics. Biography Smith competed in the Athletics at the 1928 Summer Olympics � ...

(1905–1975), Scottish Olympic runner * Johnboy Smith (John Charles Smith, born 1989), British parathlete and wheelchair racer *

John Smith (Down Gaelic footballer) John Smith is a common personal name. It is also commonly used as a placeholder name and pseudonym, and is sometimes used in the United States and the United Kingdom as a term for an average person. Notable people with the name include: Peop ...

, won the 1961 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final *

John Smith (Offaly Gaelic footballer) John Smith is a common personal name. It is also commonly used as a placeholder name and pseudonym, and is sometimes used in the United States and the United Kingdom as a List of terms related to an average person, term for an average person. No ...

, won the

1971 * The year 1971 had three partial solar eclipses (Solar eclipse of February 25, 1971, February 25, Solar eclipse of July 22, 1971, July 22 and Solar eclipse of August 20, 1971, August 20) and two total lunar eclipses (February 1971 lunar eclip ...

and 1972 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship finals

Other

Sir John Smith, 1st Baronet Sir John Smith, 1st Baronet (1744 – 1807) was High Sheriff of Dorset in 1772 and the progenitor of the Smith-Marriott Baronetcy. Biography Smith, who resided in Sydling St Nicholas in Dorset, was born in 1744. He was the son of Henry Smith o ...

(1744–1807), baronet * John Kilby Smith (1752–1842), public servant from New England *

John Smith (vegetarian) John Smith ( – 13 August 1870) was an English banker, activist, Spiritualism (movement), spiritualist, and writer. He was the manager of the York City and County Bank, Malton, North Yorkshire, Malton. A prominent activist for Vegetarianism an ...

(–1870), English banker, activist, spiritualist, and writer * John Smith (Chippewa Indian) (died 1922), reputed to have died at the age of 137 *

John Smith (abolitionist) John Smith was a 19th-century industrialist in Andover, Massachusetts, whose Smith & Dove Co. mill employed up to 300 people spinning twine and thread from flax. Smith was also a philanthropist who inspired the building of the town's Memorial Hall ...

, 19th century American industrialist and abolitionist *

John Chaloner Smith John Chaloner Smith (19 August 1827 – 13 March 1895) was an Irish civil engineer, remembered as collector of and writer on British mezzotints. Life Smith was born in Dublin in 1827. His father was a proctor of the ecclesiastical courts, and ...

(1827–1895), Irish civil engineer and writer on mezzotints * John Brown Smith (1837–1917), American author, shorthand developer, utopianist, tax resister * John Baptist Smith (1843–1923), invented and helped build a lantern system of naval signaling * J. E. Smith (c. 1862/1863–1912), English trade union leader * John Chabot Smith (1915–2002), American journalist and author * John Douglas Smith (born 1966), sound editor * John Henry Smith (reporter), American sports journalist, active 2000s * John Smith (Australian journalist), Australian journalist, winner of 2016 Kennedy Award * ''

Portrait of John Smith ''Portrait of John Smith'' is a 1708 portrait painting by the German-British artist Godfrey Kneller depicting the English politician John Smith (Chancellor of the Exchequer), John Smith. Smith was a Whigs (British political party), Whig, who se ...

'', a 1708 portrait painting by Godfrey Kneller

Fictional characters

Ranger Smith John Smith, more commonly referred to as Ranger Smith (and known as Mr. Ranger by Yogi and Boo-Boo), is a fictional park ranger first appearing in the 1958 '' Yogi Bear'' cartoon series. The character is Yogi's main antagonist, and appears in othe ...

(John Francis Smith), a park ranger in ''Yogi Bear'' cartoons * J. Wesley Smith, a character in cartoons of Burr Shafer (1899–1965) * John Smith (Kyon), Kyon's alias in the novels and animations of the Haruhi Suzumiya series * John "Hannibal" Smith, a character in ''The A-Team'' *John Smith, the human identity of

Red Tornado Red Tornado is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. As the second character to assume the identity of Red Tornado, he is the result of an android being merged with a sentient tornado by T.O. Morrow. ...

, a fictional superhero appearing in DC Comics *John Smith, also known as "Number Four", the protagonist of the young adult novel ''

I Am Number Four ''I Am Number Four'' is a young adult fiction, young adult science fiction novel by Pittacus Lore (the pseudonym of James Frey and Jobie Hughes) and the first book in the ''Lorien Legacies'' series. The book was published by HarperCollins on Aug ...

'' *John Smith, the protagonist played by Bruce Willis in ''

Last Man Standing (1996 film) ''Last Man Standing'' is a 1996 American Neo-Western action film written and directed by Walter Hill, and starring Bruce Willis, Christopher Walken and Bruce Dern. It is a credited remake of Akira Kurosawa's ''Yojimbo''. Plot In Prohibition-era ...

'' *John Smith, the protagonist played by Brad Pitt in '' Mr. & Mrs. Smith'' * John Smith (''Doctor Who''), an alias of the Doctor in ''Doctor Who'' media * John Smith (''Jericho''), a character in the TV series ''Jericho'' *

Agent Smith Agent Smith (later simply Smith) is a fictional character and the main antagonist of ''The Matrix'' franchise. The character was primarily portrayed by Hugo Weaving in the first trilogy of films and voiced by Christopher Corey Smith in '' The ...

, also known as John Smith, the main villain in ''The Matrix'' franchise *John Smith, a Nazi in the television series ''

The Man in the High Castle ''The Man in the High Castle'' is an alternative history novel by Philip K. Dick, first published in 1962, which imagines a world in which the Axis Powers won World War II. The story occurs in 1962, fifteen years after the end of the war in 1 ...

'', not appearing in the novel of the same name * John Smith, the main villain played by Zachary Quinto, in the movie '' Hitman: Agent 47'' * Johnny Smith (''Dead Zone''), main character in Stephen King's novel ''The Dead Zone'' and its subsequent adaptations *John Smith, lead character of ''John Smith'' (film)