he was an ardent critic of communism. By his populism, his interests in education and state development, and his dominance of state politics throughout his time in office, he has sometimes invited comparisons with a later ALP leader of substantial electoral skill, Peter Beattie. Post-premiership career For most of his remaining years Forgan Smith pursued his other interests, sugar and education. He became a member and then chairman of the Sugar Board and chairman of the Central Sugar Cane Prices Board. Subsequently, he became the Chancellor of the University of Queensland in 1944, occupying this position until his death in 1953. Personal life Forgan Smith and his wife had two children: George Wallace (1916–1951) and Jessie Mary (1924–1927). Forgan Smith's family recalled him as being warm, humorous, and unpretentious, in contrast to his public image. He was a heavy drinker. Early in his public life, he moved with his family Yeronga, a suburb of the state capital, Brisbane. He lived there for most of the remainder of his life. For recreation, Forgan Smith golfed, played lawn bowls, and attended cricket matches. Forgan Smith suffered from duodenal ulcers for much of his life. In the early 1940s, his bronchial condition was diagnosed as cancer of the larynx. While in Sydney on Sugar Board business, Forgan Smith died suddenly on 25 September 1953 from a heart condition caused by his cancer. Forgan Smith was accorded a State funeral, the procession moving from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church to his burial place at Toowong Cemetery. References Brian Carroll (2003) "William Forgan Smith – Dictator or Democrat?", The Premiers of Queensland (Eds. Denis Murphy, Roger Joyce, Margaret Cribb and Rae Wear) U.Q. Press, St. Lucia. External links Final days for old Forgan Bridge — Daily Mercury Duke and Duchess of York with William Forgan Smith, Duchess holding bouquet, at Wallangarra railway station, 5 Apr 1927 — University of Queensland Library Photograph of William Forgan Smith — University of Queensland Library The Peace Generation – Fighting At Home – The Courier Mail Hon W Forgan Smith, the Chancellor and others at the laying of the foundation stone of the Main Building, 6 Mar 1937. UQA S533 [16]:[21] — University of Queensland Library 1887 births 1953 deaths Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly Premiers of Queensland Burials at Toowong Cemetery Deputy Premiers of Queensland Leaders of the Opposition in Queensland Treasurers of Queensland Australian Labor Party members