Michael Peter Smith (September 7, 1941 – August 3, 2020) was an American, Chicago-based singer-songwriter. Rolling Stone once called him "The greatest songwriter in the English language". Mark Guarino of Chicago Reader wrote, "He never became a household name the way John Prine and Steve Goodman did, but his lengthy discography is just as mighty." He sang and composed from the 1960s, and his rich and challenging songs have been recorded by more than 30 performers.
He is best known for writing "The Dutchman", which was popularized by Goodman and also recorded by Brendan Grace, Suzy Bogguss, Celtic Thunder, Liam Clancy, Norm Hacking, Anne Hills, Mara Levine and Si Khan, John McDermott, the New Kingston Trio, Gamble Rogers, Tom Russell, Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert James Waller, Josh White Jr., and Bernard Wrigley.
Smith was also known for his whimsical songs such as "Zippy", "Famous in France," and "Move Over Mister Gauguin."