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{{short description|Governor of Rhode Island, US}}
{{one source|date=March 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2011}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2011}}
{{Infobox Governor
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Dennis Joseph Roberts
|name = Dennis J. Roberts
|image = RI Governor Dennis Joseph Roberts.jpg
|image = RI Governor Dennis Joseph Roberts.jpg
|order1 = 63rd
|caption = Official portrait in the RI State House
|order = 63rd
|office1 = Governor of Rhode Island
⚫
|term_start1 = January 2, 1951
|office = Governor of Rhode Island
|term_start = January 2, 1951
|term_end1 = January 6, 1959
|lieutenant1 = John S. McKiernan<br />[[Armand H. Cote]]
⚫
|term_end = January 6, 1959
|lieutenant = John S. McKiernan<br />[[Armand H. Cote]]
|predecessor1= [[John S. McKiernan]]
|predecessor = [[John S. McKiernan]]
|successor1 = [[Christopher Del Sesto]]
⚫
|office2=29th [[List of mayors of Providence, Rhode Island|Mayor of Providence]]
|successor = [[Christopher Del Sesto]]
⚫
|office2=29th [[List of mayors of Providence, Rhode Island|Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island]]
|term_start2= January 1941
|term_start2= January 1941
|term_end2= January 1951
|term_end2= January 1951
|predecessor2= [[John F. Collins (Rhode Island)|John F. Collins]]
|predecessor2= [[John F. Collins (mayor of Providence)|John F. Collins]]
|successor2=[[Walter H. Reynolds]]
|successor2=[[Walter H. Reynolds]]
|office3= Member of the [[Rhode Island Senate]]
|term3= 1935–1939
|birth_name = Dennis Joseph Roberts
|birth_date = {{birth date|1903|04|08|mf=y}}
|birth_date = {{birth date|1903|04|08|mf=y}}
|birth_place = [[Providence, Rhode Island]]
|birth_place = [[Providence, Rhode Island]], U.S.
|death_date = {{death date and age|1994|06|30|1903|04|08|mf=y}}
|death_date = {{death date and age|1994|06|30|1903|04|08|mf=y}}
|death_place = [[Providence, Rhode Island]]
|death_place = Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
|spouse =
|spouse =
|profession = Lawyer, Politician
|profession = Lawyer
|relatives = [[Thomas H. Roberts]] (brother)<br>[[Dennis J. Roberts II]] (nephew)
|religion = Catholic
| allegiance = {{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[United States]]
| branch = {{flagicon|USA|navy}} [[United States Navy]]
| serviceyears = 1941 &ndash; 1945
| rank = [[Lieutenant commander]]
| unit =
| commands =
| battles = [[World War II]]
}}
}}


'''Dennis Joseph Roberts''' (April 8, 1903 – June 30, 1994) was an American politician and member of the [[US Democratic Party|Democratic Party]]. He served as the 63rd [[Governor of Rhode Island]].
'''Dennis Joseph Roberts''' (April 8, 1903 – June 30, 1994) was an American politician and member of the [[US Democratic Party|Democratic Party]] who served as the 63rd [[Governor of Rhode Island]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
Born in [[Rhode Island]]'s capital city, [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]], Roberts graduated [[La Salle Academy, Providence|La Salle Academy]] in 1923.<ref>{{cite web|title=La Salle Academy Hall of Fame|url=http://www.lasalle-academy.org/Page/Welcome/Hall-of-Fame|website=La Salle Academy|publisher=La Salle Academy|accessdate=21 January 2016}}</ref> He was a graduate of [[Fordham University]] in 1927 and [[Boston University]] [[Law School]] in 1930, following which he practiced law in Providence.
Born in [[Rhode Island]]'s capital city, [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]], Roberts graduated [[La Salle Academy (Rhode Isalnd)|La Salle Academy]] in 1923.<ref>{{cite web|title=La Salle Academy Hall of Fame|url=http://www.lasalle-academy.org/Page/Welcome/Hall-of-Fame|website=La Salle Academy|access-date=21 January 2016}}</ref> He was a graduate of [[Fordham University]] in 1927 and [[Boston University]] [[Law School]] in 1930, following which he practiced law in Providence.


His political career began in 1935 when he was elected to the [[Rhode Island Senate|State Senate]], where he served until 1939. He became chairman of the State Democratic Party in 1938. He was a delegate to the [[1936 Democratic National Convention|1936]], [[1940 Democratic National Convention|1940]], [[1948 Democratic National Convention|1948]] and [[1960 Democratic National Convention]]s (first time as an alternate delegate).
His political career began in 1935 when he was elected to the [[Rhode Island Senate|State Senate]], where he served until 1939. He became chairman of the State Democratic Party in 1938. He was a delegate to the [[1936 Democratic National Convention|1936]], [[1940 Democratic National Convention|1940]], [[1948 Democratic National Convention|1948]] and [[1960 Democratic National Convention]]s (first time as an alternate delegate).


Roberts was elected Mayor of Providence in 1940, and served until 1951, except when he served in the [[United States Navy]] during World War II. He rose to rank of [[Lieutenant Commander]].
Roberts was elected Mayor of Providence in 1940, and served until 1951, except when he served in the [[United States Navy]] during World War II. He rose to rank of [[lieutenant commander]]. He is mentioned by title in [[Arthur Miller]]'s 1949 play [[Death of a Salesman]], as the Mayor of Providence.


==Governor==
He was elected Governor of Rhode Island in 1950 and was re-elected three times, serving four two-year terms, holding the office from January 2, 1951 to January 6, 1959. While governor, he established a Department of Administration as a housekeeping agency for finance and other problems, as well as a Development Council to promote economic development in Rhode Island. He also reorganized the Department of Social Welfare to improve its administration. During the 1956 Gubernatorial election he lost in plurality votes to [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Christopher Del Sesto]], but the Rhode Island Supreme Court invalidated 5,000 civilian absentee and shut-in ballots cast prior to election day on the ground that a constitutional amendment required such votes to be cast on, rather than prior to, election day. This left Roberts the winner. He was defeated by Del Sesto two years later.
He was elected Governor of Rhode Island in 1950 and was re-elected three times, serving four two-year terms, holding the office from January 2, 1951 to January 6, 1959. While governor, he established a Department of Administration as a housekeeping agency for finance and other problems, as well as a Development Council to promote economic development in Rhode Island. He also reorganized the Department of Social Welfare to improve its administration. During the 1956 Gubernatorial election he lost in plurality votes to [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Christopher Del Sesto]], but the Rhode Island Supreme Court invalidated 5,000 civilian absentee and shut-in ballots cast prior to election day on the ground that a constitutional amendment required such votes to be cast on, rather than prior to, election day. This left Roberts the winner. He was defeated by Del Sesto two years later.


In 1960 former Governor Roberts sought the Democratic nomination for a [[U.S. Senate]] seat but was defeated by [[Claiborne Pell]], who won and served in the Senate until 1997. He later went on to chair the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention, where he recommended a unicameral state legislature.
In 1960, former Governor Roberts sought the Democratic nomination for a [[U.S. Senate]] seat but was defeated by [[Claiborne Pell]], who won and served in the Senate until 1997. He later went on to chair the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention, where he recommended a unicameral state legislature.


Dennis Roberts died while in surgery for a ruptured [[aneurysm]] in Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. He was a Catholic.
Roberts died while in surgery for a ruptured [[aneurysm]] in Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. He was a Catholic.


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_rhode_island/col2-content/main-content-list/title_roberts_dennis.default.html NGA Biography]
{{Portal|United States|New England|Rhode Island|Biography}}
*[http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=578ec0e87984b010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD NGA Biography]
*[http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/roberts2.html#RKK0YT5CG Political Graveyard]
*[http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/roberts2.html#RKK0YT5CG Political Graveyard]


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[John Pastore]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[List of Governors of Rhode Island|Governor of Rhode Island]]|years=[[1950 Rhode Island gubernatorial election|1950]], [[1952 Rhode Island gubernatorial election|1952]], [[1954 Rhode Island gubernatorial election|1954]], [[1956 Rhode Island gubernatorial election|1956]], [[1958 Rhode Island gubernatorial election|1958]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John A. Notte Jr.]]}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-off}}
{{succession box | before = [[John F. Collins (Rhode Island)|John F. Collins]] |title=[[List of mayors of Providence, Rhode Island|Mayor of Providence]] | years = 1941&ndash;1951 | after = [[Walter H. Reynolds]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[John F. Collins (mayor of Providence)|John F. Collins]] |title=[[List of mayors of Providence, Rhode Island|Mayor of Providence]] | years = 1941&ndash;1951 | after = [[Walter H. Reynolds]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[John S. McKiernan]] |title=[[Governor of Rhode Island]] | years = 1951&ndash;1959 | after = [[Christopher Del Sesto]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[John S. McKiernan]] |title=[[Governor of Rhode Island]] | years = 1951&ndash;1959 | after = [[Christopher Del Sesto]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}

{{Governors of Rhode Island}}
{{Governors of Rhode Island}}
{{Mayors of Providence, Rhode Island}}
{{Mayors of Providence, Rhode Island}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:1903 births]]
[[Category:1903 births]]
[[Category:1994 deaths]]
[[Category:1994 deaths]]
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[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century mayors of places in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Fordham University alumni]]
[[Category:Fordham University alumni]]
[[Category:Boston University School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Boston University School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Rhode Island lawyers]]
[[Category:Rhode Island lawyers]]
[[Category:Rhode Island Democrats]]
[[Category:Democratic Party governors of Rhode Island]]
⚫
[[Category:Governors of Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Mayors of Providence, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Mayors of Providence, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Rhode Island State Senators]]
[[Category:Democratic Party Rhode Island state senators]]
⚫
[[Category:United States Navy officers]]
⚫
[[Category:American military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:American Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:American Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Democratic Party state governors of the United States]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:La Salle Academy alumni]]
[[Category:La Salle Academy alumni]]
⚫
[[Category:United States Navy officers]]
⚫
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]

Latest revision as of 20:41, 24 April 2024

Dennis J. Roberts
63rd Governor of Rhode Island
In office
January 2, 1951 – January 6, 1959
LieutenantJohn S. McKiernan
Armand H. Cote
Preceded byJohn S. McKiernan
Succeeded byChristopher Del Sesto
29th Mayor of Providence
In office
January 1941 – January 1951
Preceded byJohn F. Collins
Succeeded byWalter H. Reynolds
Member of the Rhode Island Senate
In office
1935–1939
Personal details
Born
Dennis Joseph Roberts

(1903-04-08)April 8, 1903
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
DiedJune 30, 1994(1994-06-30) (aged 91)
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
RelativesThomas H. Roberts (brother)
Dennis J. Roberts II (nephew)
ProfessionLawyer
Military service
AllegianceUnited States United States
Branch/serviceUnited States United States Navy
Years of service1941 – 1945
RankLieutenant commander
Battles/warsWorld War II

Dennis Joseph Roberts (April 8, 1903 – June 30, 1994) was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served as the 63rd Governor of Rhode Island.

Biography

[edit]

Born in Rhode Island's capital city, Providence, Roberts graduated La Salle Academy in 1923.[1] He was a graduate of Fordham University in 1927 and Boston University Law School in 1930, following which he practiced law in Providence.

His political career began in 1935 when he was elected to the State Senate, where he served until 1939. He became chairman of the State Democratic Party in 1938. He was a delegate to the 1936, 1940, 1948 and 1960 Democratic National Conventions (first time as an alternate delegate).

Roberts was elected Mayor of Providence in 1940, and served until 1951, except when he served in the United States Navy during World War II. He rose to rank of lieutenant commander. He is mentioned by title in Arthur Miller's 1949 play Death of a Salesman, as the Mayor of Providence.

Governor

[edit]

He was elected Governor of Rhode Island in 1950 and was re-elected three times, serving four two-year terms, holding the office from January 2, 1951 to January 6, 1959. While governor, he established a Department of Administration as a housekeeping agency for finance and other problems, as well as a Development Council to promote economic development in Rhode Island. He also reorganized the Department of Social Welfare to improve its administration. During the 1956 Gubernatorial election he lost in plurality votes to Republican Christopher Del Sesto, but the Rhode Island Supreme Court invalidated 5,000 civilian absentee and shut-in ballots cast prior to election day on the ground that a constitutional amendment required such votes to be cast on, rather than prior to, election day. This left Roberts the winner. He was defeated by Del Sesto two years later.

In 1960, former Governor Roberts sought the Democratic nomination for a U.S. Senate seat but was defeated by Claiborne Pell, who won and served in the Senate until 1997. He later went on to chair the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention, where he recommended a unicameral state legislature.

Roberts died while in surgery for a ruptured aneurysm in Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. He was a Catholic.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "La Salle Academy Hall of Fame". La Salle Academy. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
[edit]
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Rhode Island
1950, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1958 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Providence
1941–1951 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of Rhode Island
1951–1959 		Succeeded by
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