Smythe was born in Stockholm, the son of Percy Smythe, 6th Viscount Strangford, who had been Disraeli's friend during the 1830s, and had sponsored the latter for the Carlton Club (along with Lord Chandos).
Smythe was born in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of Percy Smythe, 6th Viscount Strangford, by Ellen Burke, daughter of Sir Thomas Burke, Bt. Smythe's father had been Disraeli's friend during the 1830s, and had sponsored the latter for the Carlton Club (along with Lord Chandos).