Between 1901 and 1916 he was a member of the faculty of the Connecticut Agricultural College (now the University of Connecticut) in Storrs, teaching English and economics.[1] He served as the school's football and baseball coach for four seasons, from 1902 to 1905, compiling a 14–13–1 record in football and a 13–9–1 record in baseball.[4][5] From April through September 1908 he held the school's interim presidency.[2]
A Republican, Smith was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1932 and served 14 consecutive two-year terms in the House. He was seeking re-election to a fifteenth term when he died from a heart attack on October 28, 1960. He also was a member of the Connecticut State Board of Education between 1935 and 1939. As a state legislator, he played a significant role in the enactment of legislation related to education and served as chairman of the Legislative Committee on Education that in 1954 established a formula for state government financial support of public schools.[1][3]
At the time of his death at the age of 89, Smith was the oldest and longest-serving member of the Connecticut General Assembly.[1]
E. O. Smith High School
E. O. Smith High School, established in 1958 as a regional school to serve the towns of Ashford and Mansfield, is named for him.[6] Originally part of the University of Connecticut campus, owned by the state, and operated by the university, it has been operated as a regional public school since 1987.[7] In 1993 the town of Willington was added to the region served by the school.[7]
