Ralph Tyler Smith

Ralph Tyler Smith (October 6, 1915 – August 13, 1972) was an American lawyer and politician from Illinois, who served as a United States Senator from Illinois between 1969 until 1970. A member of the Republican Party, Smith previously served in the Illinois state house from 1955 through 1969, including two years as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1967 to 1969, prior to his appointment to the senate by governor Richard Ogilvie. He lost re-election to Adlai Stevenson III in the 1970 special election.

Ralph Tyler Smith
United States Senator
from Illinois
In office
September 17, 1969 – November 16, 1970
Appointed byRichard B. Ogilvie
Preceded byEverett Dirksen
Succeeded byAdlai Stevenson III
Member of Illinois House of Representatives
In office
1955-1969
Personal details
BornOctober 6, 1915
Granite City, Illinois
DiedAugust 13, 1972 (aged 56)
Alton, Illinois
Resting placeSunset Hill Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Alma materWashington University in St. Louis
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Battles/warsWorld War II

Early life and education

Smith was born in Granite City, Illinois. He attended public school in Granite City, and graduated from Illinois College at Jacksonville in 1937. While at Illinois college he was a member of the Phi Alpha Literary Society. In 1940, he graduated from Washington University Law School at St. Louis. He was admitted to the bar in 1940, and began practice in Granite City.[1]

Military career

He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve immediately following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He was ordered to active duty in July 1942, and was commissioned an ensign in October of that year. He would go on to serve in the military until January 1946, 5 months after the end of World War II.[1]

Political career

Illinois general assembly

Following the end of the war, Smith returned to Alton, Illinois, and resumed his fledgling law practice. In 1954, he was elected to the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of Illinois. He was re-elected for seven succeeding terms between 1954 and 1968, before becoming majority whip in 1963, and later speaker in 1967.

United States Senate

Upon the death of Everett Dirksen, Governor Richard B. Ogilvie appointed Smith to fill the vacancy in the United States Senate. He served from September 17, 1969 to November 16, 1970. He ran for re-election in the 1970 special election, but was defeated by Adlai E. Stevenson III, the son of former Illinois governor Adlai Stevenson II. When Smith ran against Stevenson, the Utah College Republicans sent a then unknown nineteen-year-old student, Karl Rove, to work on Smith's campaign.[1]

Later life and death

Following his defeat in 1970, he returned to practicing law. He died on August 13, 1972, in Alton. He is buried at Sunset Hill Cemetery, in Glen Carbon, Madison County, Illinois. His plot is located at the Mausoleum Chapel, Corridor 4, Crypt A, Grave 104.[2]

References
  1. "Bioguide Search". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  2. "Ralph Tyler Smith (1915-1972) - Find A Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
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