Ralph Tyler Smith

Ralph Tyler Smith
United States Senator from Illinois
In office September 17, 1969 – November 3, 1970
Appointed by	Richard B. Ogilvie
Preceded by	Everett Dirksen
Succeeded by	Adlai Stevenson III
Personal details
Born	October 6, 1915 Granite City, Illinois
Died	August 13, 1972 (aged 56) Alton, Illinois
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Washington University in St. Louis
Military service
Service/branch	United States Navy
Battles/wars	World War II

Ralph Tyler Smith (October 6, 1915 – August 13, 1972) was born in Granite City, Illinois. Smith was a Republican politician from Illinois and served in the Illinois state house from 1955 through 1969, including two years as Speaker from 1967 to 1969. Upon the death of Everett Dirksen, Governor Richard B. Ogilvie appointed Smith to fill his vacancy in the United States Senate. He served from September 17, 1969 to November 3, 1970. He ran for retention in the 1970 special election, but was defeated by Adlai E. Stevenson III.

Smith attended Illinois College and graduated in 1937. While at Illinois college he was a member of the Phi Alpha Literary Society. He attended law school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and was admitted to the bar in 1940. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve and was called to active duty in July 1942. Smith was commissioned as an ensign in October of that year and served until January 1946. He returned to Alton, Illinois and resumed his fledgling law practice. In 1954, he was elected to the Illinois General Assembly.

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.

Smith died in Alton and is buried at Sunset Hill Cemetery.

External links

• Ralph Tyler Smith at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Ralph Tyler Smith at Find a Grave

United States Senate
Preceded by Everett Dirksen	U.S. Senator (Class 3) from Illinois 1969–1970 Served alongside: Charles H. Percy	Succeeded by Adlai Stevenson III