Patrick Davis Smith (October 8, 1927 – January 26, 2014) was an American author, renowned for his literary contributions that vividly depict the state of Florida. His work received recognition through seven nominations for the Pulitzer Prize and five nominations for the Nobel Prize for Literature. In 1999, he was honored by being inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.

Smith was a celebrated figure in Florida, earning the title of the "Greatest Living Floridian" by the Florida Historical Society in 2002. This prestigious one-time award highlighted the significant impact of his novels on both native Floridians and newcomers. Among his celebrated works is "Forever Island", which was recognized by the Reader’s Digest Condensed Book Club in 1974 and was a nominee for the Pulitzer Prize in 1973.