Edmund Hyde Smith was the oldest brother of Lizzie Maude Smith, born on 21 June 1865.

On 22 February 1885, he has commissioned a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. In June 1897, he was promoted to commander and became a captain on June 30, 1904. In June 1905, he assumed command of the first-class protected cruiser Argonaut. On 29 March 1910, he was appointed command of the battleship Irresistible and quickly moved over to command the H.M.S. Africa in June 1910. A year later, he was appointed Captain of the battleship Bulwark and commanded Lord Nelson from 1911 till 1913 and was appointed captain of the battleship Monarch the same year.

During the First World War, on 29 June 1915, Edmund was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral. He was appointed Senior Officer at Sheerness on 21 September, where he became in charge of Naval Establishments. On the occasion of the King's birthday, he was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 3 June 1919. He was promoted to Vice-Admiral on 2 November 1919 and placed on the Retired List the day later. In 1924 he was mentioned as Admiral on the Retired List.