W. H. Smith Biography

W. H. Smith

He entered the family's bookselling business, becoming his father's partner in 1846. He worked to expand the scope of the enterprise, beginning in 1849 to sell newspapers and books in Britain's railway stations. He later moved into politics, serving in parliament from 1868 and holding posts as financial secretary of the Treasury (1874–77), First Lord of the Admiralty (1877–80), and secretary for war (1885). He led the House of Commons under the Salisbury reign until his death in 1891.