Albert Smedes was born in New York City, New York on April 20, 1810. An ordained deacon, he helped open St. Mary's a private school for young women in Raleigh in 1842. He continued to work at St. Mary's until his death, and oversaw the education of many young women from wealthy North Carolina families. He died in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina on April 25, 1877.