Hartley Dewart

Herbert Hartley Dewart QC (9 November 1861 – 7 July 1924) was an Ontario lawyer and politician.

Early life and education

Dewart was born in St. Johns, Canada East, on 9 November 1861. His father was Edward Hartley Dewart, an Irish Methodist minister who was a preacher in St. Johns. His mother was Dorothy Matilda Hunt. In 1865 Dewart and his family moved to Toronto. He attended Toronto's model school and collegiate institute. He studied at the University of Toronto, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1883, and Osgoode Hall, being called to the Ontario bar in 1887. He co-founded the Young Men's Liberal Club and was its president from 1887 to 1888.

Early career

Dewart set up practice in Toronto and served as crown attorney for York County from 1891 to 1904. In 1895, he replaced Britton Bath Osler as the prosecutor for the murder trial of Clara Ford after Osler's wife died. The trial was a media sensation and Dewart's oratory skills trial impressed members of the press and fellow lawyers. Even though Ford confessed to the crime, Dewart lost the case when the jury decided to acquit. He was appointed as a Queen's Counsel in 1899 and continued his work as a public prosecutor until his resignation in 1904. In the 1919 Ontario general election, Dewart campaigned by attacking the Ontario Conservative Party campaign manager Howard Ferguson. However, rural voters supported the United Farmers of Ontario Party, causing the United Farmers to win the election. In the subsequent legislature, Dewart criticised the United Farmer government, causing more discontent among rural Ontarians. He resigned as leader of the Liberal party in 1921, citing poor health.

Dewart continued sitting as a legislator. He opposed a bill that would tax racetrack bets, dramatically asking the lieutenant governor before the bill received royal assent if the bill was constitutional. He was defeated in the 1923 Ontario general election.

Later career and death

After his election loss, he returned to private practice and was appointed to a commission that was to consolidate Canadian statutes. He died at his home near Uxbridge in 1924; the cause of death outlined in his obituaries was overwork. He was buried in Toronto Necropolis.