James Carmichael Smith (1852-1919) was born in the Bahamas where his father, who was originally from Yorkshire, had shipping interests. His mother was of French origin. After an education at Nassau Grammar School, Smith spent four and a half years at sea, and is thought to have taught in New York for a short period. On his return to Nassau he entered government service, and was appointed Chief Clerk and Storekeeper of the Imperial Treasury and (Military) Commissariat Departments in 1876. In 1882 he was elected a member of the House of Assembly for Western District, New Providence, a seat he held for seven years. In 1884 he became a Life Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute. He was a member of the Bahamas Board of Education, 1886-1892, and Postmaster, 1889-1893. In 1896 Smith moved to Sierra Leone, where he was Assistant Postmaster in Sierra Leone, 1896-1900, and Postmaster-General and Manager of the General Savings Bank, 1900-1911. He also served as Collector of Customs, 1902-1903, and Colonial Treasurer, 1906-1907. After his retirement in December 1911 he moved to Jersey, and then London, where he died on 4 October 1919.