William Henry Smith (1792-1865) was an English businessman, who took over the newsagent's business of his father, Henry Walton Smith, in The Strand, London, in 1812, and expanded it greatly. It was one of the first firms to take advantage of the railway boom of the early 19th century.

William Henry Smith (June 24, 1825) - (October 6, 1891) was the son of the above. He was born in London and educated at Tavistock Grammar School before joining the business with his father in 1846. As a result of his involvement, the business became a household name (W H Smith), and the practice of selling books and newspapers at railway stations began. In 1868 he was elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Westminster, and was appointed Financial Secretary to the Treasury six years later when Disraeli returned as Prime Minister. In 1877 he became First Lord of the Admiralty (an appointment which gave rise to the character of Sir Joseph Porter, KCB, in Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta, HMS Pinafore), holding this office for three years until the Liberals returned to power. In 1885 he exchanged his Westminster seat for that of the Strand division of London, and served as Chief Secretary for Ireland for a short period in the following year. He was twice Secretary of State for War, the first time during Lord Salisbury's brief ministry between 1885 and 1886, and the second when the Conservatives won the 1886 General Election. He succeeded this appointment in 1887 as First Lord of the Admiralty and Leader of the House of Commons, and became Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in 1891, dying shortly afterwards at Walmer Castle. His widow was created Viscountess Hambleden.