Richard B. Smith

Richard Bernhard Smith (September 29, 1901 – September 28, 1935) was an American lyricist who wrote the words for the popular Christmas song "Winter Wonderland", which was composed by Felix Bernard.

Smith was born on September 29, 1901, in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, the son of Eliza (Brunig) and John H. Smith, a partner with a glass manufacturing plant. His family was Episcopalian. He graduated Honesdale School in 1920 and attended Pennsylvania State College. Smith married Jean Connor, of Scranton, on March 30, 1930. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1931. He succumbed to the disease on September 28, 1935, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. He was 33. He was buried in Glen Dyberry Cemetery in Honesdale.

Birth and Death Data: Died September 28, 1935

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1934 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist, songwriter

Notes: Sometimes listed on disc label as Dick Smith.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-82567 10-in. 5/29/1934 The breeze (That's bringin' my honey back to me) Henry King Orchestra ; Joseph Sudy Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-83355 10-in. 7/3/1934 The breeze (That's bringing my honey back to me) Anthony Trini ; Village Barn Orchestra [Anthony Trini] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-84749 10-in. 10/23/1934 Winter wonderland Richard Himber ; Joey Nash ; Ritz-Carlton Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-85267 10-in. 1/16/1935 I'm keeping those keepsakes you gave me Art Kassel ; Kassels-in-the-Air Orchestra ; Norman Ruvell Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-86409 10-in. 12/7/1934 Winter wonderland Angelo Ferdinando ; Hotel Great Northern Orchestra ; Dick Robertson Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-86464 10-in. 12/17/1934 I thrill when they mention your name Florence Richardson Orchestra ; Jerry Lee Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-87446 10-in. 1/23/1935 I'm keeping those keepsakes you gave me Peggy Healy ; Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-87644 10-in. 1/21/1935 I'm keeping those keepsakes you gave to me Charlie Barnet Orchestra ; Marion Nichols Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-91062 10-in. 5/22/1935 When a Gypsy makes his violin cry Enric Madriguera Orchestra ; Tony Sacco Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet lyricist  
Victor PD6VB-2569 10-in. 8/1/1946 Winter wonderland Perry Como ; Russ Case Orchestra ; The Satisfiers Male vocal solo, with vocal group and instrumental ensemble lyricist  
Victor D7VB-0984 10-in. 6/19/1947 Winter wonderland Sammy Kaye ; Sammy Kaye Orchestra Male vocal trio, with jazz/dance band lyricist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Smith, Richard B.," accessed January 20, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/114083.

Smith, Richard B.. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 20, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/114083.

"Smith, Richard B.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 20 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/114083

External Sources

Wikipedia: Richard B. Smith

Discogs: Richard B. Smith

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Smith, Richard B., 1901-1935 - https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2008055134

Wikidata: Richard B. Smith - https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q7323882

VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/58888190

MusicBrainz: Richard B. Smith - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/094e4ef3-cdcf-4111-bb2e-7fe672c7ae81

Fast: https://id.worldcat.org/fast/1971935 - https://id.worldcat.org/fast/1971935

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

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