William Smith has been in practice as a consulting medical herbalist practically all his life. Born in Colne, Lancashire, in 1910, he studied pre-medical subjects at Burnley Municipal College ( a branch of Manchester University), and at 17 years of age was apprenticed to an uncle who was a bonesetter and medical herbalist, also studying with Joseph Knagg a well-known medical botanist of Colne.

In 1937, he qualified as a medical herbalist (by examination) with the Lancashire Association of Herbal Practitioners. Subsequently he practiced privately in Colne and Nelson until the outbreak of war, apart from an appointment as assistant to Dr Sarah A. Webb, MD (USA) and William H. Webb, both Fellows of the NATIONAL Association of Medical Herbalists, at their clinic of Scarisbrick Street, Southport.Mr Smith studied nature cure and osteopathy at the British Naturopathic and Osteopathic Association, London, gaining diplomas in the two subjects.He studied with the National Institute of Medical Herbalists of Great Britain, and passed their examination in 1946.

Later appointed to the tutorial staff and examining board, and then to the research committee. Awarded a Fellowship in 1961 for services rendered.He studied privately with Dr Ellis, FRMS in botanical and biological micro-technology, preparing medical slides for universities, and medical schools, and also studied and worked at Whittingham Psychiatric Hospital in the medical, surgical wards and operating theatre for two years, gaining a State Enrolled Nursing Certificate.He was appointed a member of the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene.

He has contributed to health magazines in Britain and has lectured extensively.William Smith has passed certificate examinations in Swedish massage, joint manipulations, surgical chiropody, practipedics, reflexology or zone therapy, homoeopathy and Chinese acupuncture and medical electricity.