Robert Sidney Smith (31 January 1919 – 29 November 2009 in London, England) was an expert on the history of the Yoruba people of Nigeria and was a Senior Lecturer and then Professor of History at the universities of Lagos, Ife and Ibadan. He was born on 31 January 1919. For many years he lived near Kew Gardens in London and died in London on 29 November 2009.