Judge Brooks P. Goldsmith, Jr., was born in Lancaster, South Carolina. His parents are B. P. Goldsmith, deceased, formerly Secretary of Springs Industries, and Margaret Ussery Goldsmith, deceased. He has a brother, J. Patrick Goldsmith, and a sister Laney G. Thompson.

He attended public school in Lancaster, South Carolina, and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1960 and received his BA degree in 1964 from Furman University. He received his juris doctorate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1969 where he was a member of the South Carolina Law Review. He served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1966, being discharged as a first lieutenant. Judge Goldsmith was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1969 and admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1970. He practiced law in Atlanta with the firm of Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan from 1969 to 1971. He was municipal judge for the City of Lancaster from 1974 to 1976 and was president of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce in 1977. Judge Goldsmith was elected to the Family Court bench in 2001 where he served until his election to the Circuit Court bench February 2, 2005. He is a former member of the House of Delegates of the South Carolina Bar and former member of the Board Governors of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association.

He is married to the former Laura J. Porter. He has a daughter, Amanda, who is presently a public school teacher in Irmo, South Carolina and two step-children: Courtney and Page and two grandchildren: Franklyn and Conner. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, tennis and snow skiing.