EDWARD CURTIS SMITH was born in St. Albans, Vermont. He received his undergraduate degree from Yale and his law degree from Columbia University. He went on to practice law from 1877 until 1881, when he began work for the Central Vermont Railway Company, where he rose to become president. He was also director and president of the People’s Trust Company and an officer of a number other businesses. Smith served in the Vermont National Guard and in 1884 was appointed colonel and aide-de-camp on the military staff of Governor Samuel Pingree. In 1890 he represented St. Albans in the state legislature. As governor, he oversaw the establishment of a Board of Prison Commissioners, and during his administration the office of State Highway Commissioner was created. After leaving office, he resumed his business affairs.