Matthew Smith (Rhode Island politician)

Matthew J. Smith
Matthew J. Smith
218th Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
	In office; 1980–1988
Preceded by	Edward P. Manning
Succeeded by	Joseph DeAngelis
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
	In office; 1973–1988
Personal details
Born	Matthew John Smith; July 17, 1941 (age 83); Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Claire Crepeau
Children	4
Alma mater	Providence College

Matthew John Smith (born July 17, 1941) is an American politician and lawyer in the state of Rhode Island.

Smith was born in Providence in 1941, the son of Irish immigrants.^[1] He earned a bachelor's (1962) and master's (1966) degrees at Providence College.^[2] He worked as a professor and archivist at Providence College, and also co-authored a book on the history of Catholicism in Rhode Island.^[2]

A Democrat, Smith was first elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in a special election held in June 1973.^[2] He served as Speaker of the House from 1980 to 1988, resigning his seat in 1988 upon being appointed as Clerk of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and Rhode Island court administrator.^[2] In addition, Smith was a member of the boards of the St. Joseph Hospital Corporation and Blue Shield of Rhode Island.^[2] He is married to Claire Crepeau and has four children.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b Kilgus, Laura (April 28, 2016). "Former House Speaker 'staunch defender' of life". Rhode Island Catholic. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Sharp, Nancy Weatherly; Sharp, James Roger (August 30, 2000). American Legislative Leaders in the Northeast, 1911-1994. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9780313032080 – via Google Books.

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[ricatholic-1] Kilgus, Laura (April 28, 2016). "Former House Speaker 'staunch defender' of life". Rhode Island Catholic. Retrieved December 22, 2023.

[leaders-2] Sharp, Nancy Weatherly; Sharp, James Roger (August 30, 2000). American Legislative Leaders in the Northeast, 1911-1994. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9780313032080 – via Google Books.

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