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.