Philip Thomas Smith was born in England and trained as a lawyer. He emigrated to Tasmania, arriving in Hobart in April 1832. He acquired land from the Government by purchase and set up Syndal at Ross. He helped found the Midland Agricultural Association and was involved in the anti - transportation and temperance movements. He developed a special interest in the quality of education and in the training of teachers; a special trust fund he established was used to help set up the Philip Smith Training College in Hobart in 1911. Returning to England in 1877, he died at Nice, France in 1880.