Smuul was born in Koguva village on the island of Muhu to Jüri and Ruudu Schmuul (née Tuulik). He had three older sisters: Salme, Linda, and Liisa and one younger sister, Aliide, as well as six half-siblings from his father's first marriage.^[1]

He wrote several novels, often based on life in his native island. He also authored several travelogues. His most famous is The Frozen Book (Jäine raamat), about a Soviet expedition to Antarctica. Smuul also wrote four screenplays. They are:

• Kirjad Sõgedate külast (1966)
• Keskpäevane praam (1967)
• Metskapten (1971)
• Siin me oleme! (1979) (TV)

He also worked in Soviet Estonian journalism. He died in Tallinn.

Smuul was named People's Writer of the Estonian SSR in 1965. He was also awarded the Stalin Prize in 1952 and the Lenin Prize in 1961.

The literary award of the Estonian SSR (Eesti NSV kirjanduse aastapreemia) was named after him in 1972 and became the Juhan Smuul literary award from then on.

The Smuul family home, Tooma farm, located in Koguva village, is a museum.

Juhan Smuul was married first to translator Ita Saks from 1945 until 1951. After divorcing, he married poet Debora Vaarandi. Before his death, he lived for three or four years with radio and Finnish-language television editor Ellen Nood. He had no children.^[2]

•   Media related to Juhan Smuul at Wikimedia Commons
• Juhan Smuul unustas “Poeemi Stalinile” käsikirja Moskva rongi. Õhtuleht. 2000-08-11.