Marcus A. Smith

Marcus A. Smith
United States Senator
from Arizona
In office
March 27, 1912 – March 3, 1921
Preceded bySeat established
Succeeded byRalph H. Cameron
Delegate to the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona Territory
In office
March 4, 1905 – March 3, 1909
Preceded byJohn Frank Wilson
Succeeded byRalph H. Cameron
In office
March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1903
Preceded byJohn Frank Wilson
Succeeded byJohn Frank Wilson
In office
March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899
Preceded byNathan O. Murphy
Succeeded byJohn Frank Wilson
In office
March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1895
Preceded byCurtis C. Bean
Succeeded byNathan O. Murphy
Personal details
Born(1851-01-24)January 24, 1851
Cynthiana, Kentucky
DiedApril 7, 1924(1924-04-07) (aged 73)
Washington, D.C.
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseElizabeth Rathbone[a]
Alma materKentucky University

Marcus Aurelius Smith (January 24, 1851[b] – April 7, 1924) was an American attorney and politician who served eight terms as Arizona Territorial Delegate to Congress and as one of the first two Senators from Arizona. As a Delegate, he was a leader in the effort to gain statehood for Arizona. His non-voting status, however, minimized his influence with only 35 of the 277 bills he introduced into the House of Representatives being signed into law.[1] Lack of a voice in the United States Senate further weakened his efforts as he managed to get Arizona statehood bills passed by the House only to see the legislation blocked in the Senate.[2] Beyond his efforts for statehood, Smith worked to have government buildings constructed and to provide relief to his constituents affected by either man-made or natural misfortunes. His efforts to provide relief to the citizens of Arizona did not extend to the indigenous population, for whom Smith expressed great animosity.

Smith was a dedicated conservative for most of his political career. This changed following his electoral defeat in 1908. As Smith campaigned to become one of Arizona's first two senators he became a progressive. In this new role, he was a firm supporter of Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom initiatives.


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