Sir Osborne Arkell Smith, KCSI, KCIE, Kt (26 December 1876 - 30 August 1952) was the first Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1 April 1935 to 30 June 1937.
Smith was a professional banker who served for 20 years with the Bank of New South Wales and 10 years with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. He then came to India in 1926 as Managing Governor of the Imperial Bank of India. He was knighted in March 1929, and was invested with his knighthood by the Governor-General of India, the Lord Irwin, at the new Viceroy's House in New Delhi on 27 February 1930. Smith was further appointed a KCIE in the 1932 New Year Honours list and appointed a KCSI in February 1937.
His stewardship of the Imperial Bank won him recognition in banking circles in India. Since his outlook on policy issues like the exchange rates and interest rates differed with that of the Government, he resigned before the completion of his term of office.
Sir Osborne did not sign any Indian rupee notes during his tenure.
Famous quotes containing the words osborne and/or smith:
“We all of us waited for him to die. The family sent him a cheque every month, and hoped he’d get on with it quietly, without too much vulgar fuss.”
—John Osborne (b. 1929)
“For men tied fast to the absolute, bled of their differences, drained of their dreams by authoritarian leeches until nothing but pulp is left, become a massive, sick Thing whose sheer weight is used ruthlessly by ambitious men. Here is the real enemy of the people: our own selves dehumanized into “the masses.” And where is the David who can slay this giant?”
—Lillian Smith (1897–1966)