Albert Edward Smith - Later Years

Later Years

Smith largely curtailed his political activities after this time, though he remained an active figure within the Communist Party. He returned to Manitoba for the 1945 federal election, and campaigned for the Labor-Progressive Party (as the Communist Party had renamed itself) in his old riding of Brandon. He received 497 votes, finishing fourth. The winner was Liberal James Ewen Matthews.

Smith's autobiography, All My Life, was published posthumously in 1949. The work chronicles his religious and political evolution, and gives extensive consideration to the Communist Party's struggles of the 1930s. Interestingly, Joseph Stalin is never mentioned by name in this book.

To the end of his life, Smith argued that his beliefs were a reflection of the message promoted by Jesus of Nazareth.

A.E. Smith's son, Stewart Smith, was a leading member of the Communist Party in his own right.