Osborne Smith

Sir Osborne Smith

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 professional banker, and had 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 1929, appointed a KCIE in 1932 and a KCSI in 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.

References

Who's Who 1952, 1953

Government offices
Preceded by None	Governor of RBI 1935 – 1937	Succeeded by Sir James Taylor