William Smith was a lawyer and prolific writer on New York affairs in the years leading up to the American War of Independence. He published a survey of New York laws in 1752 and in 1753-4, he was a co-author of New York’s first magazine, Independent Reflector. This history of the colony was printed in London in 1757. The work was successful, serving as a comprehensive history of the colony to 1732. It earned Smith the nickname ‘the Historian of New York’. 20 years later, he began work on a second volume, covering the period 1732-63; this was published posthumously in 1826.
During the American Revolution, Smith’s skill as a lawyer and writer saw attempts by both sides to enlist him. While an outspoken critic of the conduct of British officials in America, Smith tried to remain impartial, viewing both sides as having their faults. In 1776, he attempted to retire to Albany in the hopes of avoiding being drawn into the conflict but in 1778, he declared his loyalty to Britain and returned to New York. In 1783, Smith left America for London but in 1786 he returned, serving as Chief Justice of Quebec under the governorship of his friend Sir Guy Carleton.