Henry Ignatius Smith was born in Newark, N.J., August 25, 1886. His early studies were made in the public schools of Newark. He was graduated from Seton Hall, South Orange, N.J., in 1904. He entered the novitiate of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Fathers) in the same year at Springfield, Ky. In the year 1905 he entered the Dominican House of Studies at the Catholic University, Washington. Here he completed his undergraduate studies in philosophy and theology, attending at the same time courses in English under Dr. Egan, theology under Dr. Kennedy and sociology under Dr. Kerby, at the Catholic University, from 1905 to 1910. In the latter year he was ordained to the priesthood. He entered the graduate school of the Catholic University in 1912, taking courses in sociology under Dr. Kerby, psychology under Dr. Pace and economics under Dr. O'Hara. He received the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology in 1912. In 1913 he was appointed professor of philosophy in the Dominican House of Studies.