U.S. Senator, Lawyer. He attended the University of Florida, receiving bachelor's and law degrees, and was the Assistant U.S. Attorney in Miami from 1940 to 1942. During World War II (WWII), he served as an officer in the Marines Corps. He won election to the United States House of Representatives in 1946 and served two terms from 1947 to 1951. In 1950, he defeated incumbent U.S. Senator Claude Pepper in the Democratic primary for the United States Senate nomination. He won the general election and served three terms, 1951 to 1969. He then retired from politics, returned to practicing law, and was also a lobbyist and successful businessman. In 1991, Smathers gave a $20 million gift to the University of Florida, which funded the university library system now named for him. He later also gave a $10 million gift to the University of Miami. He was the nephew of William Howell Smathers, who served as US Senator from New Jersey. George Smathers's son Bruce served as Florida's Secretary of State from 1975 to 1978.

U.S. Senator, Lawyer. He attended the University of Florida, receiving bachelor's and law degrees, and was the Assistant U.S. Attorney in Miami from 1940 to 1942. During World War II (WWII), he served as an officer in the Marines Corps. He won election to the United States House of Representatives in 1946 and served two terms from 1947 to 1951. In 1950, he defeated incumbent U.S. Senator Claude Pepper in the Democratic primary for the United States Senate nomination. He won the general election and served three terms, 1951 to 1969. He then retired from politics, returned to practicing law, and was also a lobbyist and successful businessman. In 1991, Smathers gave a $20 million gift to the University of Florida, which funded the university library system now named for him. He later also gave a $10 million gift to the University of Miami. He was the nephew of William Howell Smathers, who served as US Senator from New Jersey. George Smathers's son Bruce served as Florida's Secretary of State from 1975 to 1978.

Bio by: Bill McKern