William H. Smith was an American politician who served as the Governor of Utah from 1858 to 1861. He was appointed by President James Buchanan during a time of tension between the federal government and the Mormon community in the territory. Smith's administration focused on maintaining peace and order in the region. Before becoming governor, Smith was involved in various political roles, including serving in the Utah Territorial Legislature. His tenure as governor was marked by challenges, including conflicts with local leaders and issues related to governance in a rapidly growing territory. Smith's time in office ended when he resigned in 1861.