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Robert Smith
Robert Smith SecNavy.jpg
6th United States Secretary of State
In office
March 6, 1809 – April 1, 1811
President James Madison
Preceded by James Madison
Succeeded by James Monroe
United States Attorney General
Acting
In office
March 2, 1805 – August 7, 1805
President Thomas Jefferson
Preceded by Levi Lincoln
Succeeded by John Breckinridge
2nd United States Secretary of the Navy
In office
July 27, 1801 – March 4, 1809
President Thomas Jefferson
Preceded by Benjamin Stoddert
Succeeded by Paul Hamilton
Personal details
Born (1757-11-03)November 3, 1757
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, British America
Died November 26, 1842(1842-11-26) (aged 85)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political party Democratic-Republican
Spouse Margaret Smith
Education College of New Jersey (BA)
(renamed Princeton)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Branch/service Continental Army
Battles/wars American Revolutionary War

Robert Smith (born November 3, 1757 – died November 26, 1842) was an important American politician. He held two big jobs in the U.S. government. He was the second United States Secretary of the Navy from 1801 to 1809. Later, he became the sixth United States Secretary of State from 1809 to 1811. Robert Smith was also the younger brother of Senator Samuel Smith.

Early Life and Education

Robert Smith was born in Lancaster, which was part of the Province of Pennsylvania back then. When he was younger, he fought in the American Revolutionary War. He was part of the Continental Army and took part in the Battle of Brandywine.

After the war, he went to Princeton. He graduated in 1781. Then, he started working as a lawyer in Maryland.

Political Career

Smith began his political career by being chosen for the Electoral College in 1788. This group helps elect the U.S. President. He represented Maryland.

Later, he was elected to the Maryland State Senate. He served there from 1793 to 1795. After that, he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates from 1796 to 1800.

Secretary of the Navy

In July 1801, President Thomas Jefferson asked Robert Smith to become the United States Secretary of the Navy. This job involves leading the U.S. Navy. Smith took the position after someone else turned it down.

For a short time in 1805, Smith also served as the United States Attorney General. This person is the chief lawyer for the U.S. government. He held both jobs because the person chosen for Secretary of the Navy decided not to take the job. Soon after, a new Attorney General was appointed, and Smith went back to being the full-time Secretary of the Navy. He stayed in this role until President Jefferson's time in office ended in March 1809.

Secretary of State

After leaving the Navy job, President James Madison appointed Smith as the United States Secretary of State. This is a very important role, dealing with other countries. Smith started this job on March 6, 1809.

However, Smith and President Madison often disagreed on how to handle foreign policy. Madison felt that Smith was not following the administration's plans. Because of these disagreements, Madison asked Smith to resign. Smith left the Secretary of State position on April 1, 1811.

Later Life and Legacy

After his time in government, Robert Smith became involved in other important organizations. In 1813, he became the president of the American Bible Society. In 1818, he helped start the Maryland Agriculture Society and became its first president. After this, he mostly retired to a private life.

Robert Smith passed away in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 26, 1842. He was 85 years old.

The U.S. Navy ship, the USS Robert Smith, was named in his honor.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Robert Smith (político) para niños

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