Dysart was born in
Cocagne, New Brunswick and had an ancestry of Scottish and English Loyalist. Initially having an interest in farming, he graduated from the
University of St. Joseph's College in
Memramcook where he got a
Master of Arts, and received further education at the
Ontario Agricultural College. Years later, Dysart would enter
Dalhousie Law School and in 1914 he was called to the bar, setting up practice in
Bouctouche. He was elected to the provincial legislature in 1917 and served as
Speaker from 1921 to 1925 and served briefly as
Minister of Lands and Mines in 1925 until the defeat of the
Liberal government. In 1926, Dysart succeeded
Peter J. Veniot as leader of the Liberal party. In 1935 the Liberals returned to power and Dysart became the 22nd
premier of New Brunswick. Dysart also served as his own Minister of Public Works from 1935 to 1938, and Chairman of the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission, from 1938 until his retirement from politics. His government introduced the first
Landlord and Tenants Act in 1938 and updated the
Labour Relations Act. It attempted to create jobs in the
Great Depression through extensive road construction. After suffering from poor health from some time, he led the government to re-election in 1939 and resigned in 1940 to become a County Court Judge of Westmorland and Kent Counties. He served in that position until his retirement in 1955. His former home in Shediac, New Brunswick is a registered historic place. He lived there from 1943 until his death. == References ==