E.J. Smith wurde am 27 Januar 1850 in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, UK geboren. Er war mit Sarah Eleanor Smith verheiratet. Er starb am 15 April 1912 in North Atlantic Ocean.
Smith held the rank of Commander within the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) and wore his two decorations when in uniform: the Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Reserve and the Transport Medal.