DENNIS JOSEPH ROBERTS was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He was a graduate of Fordham University in 1927 and Boston University Law School in 1930, following which he practiced law in Providence. He served as a state Senator from 1935 to 1939 and was State Democratic Chairman in 1938. He won election as Mayor of Providence in 1940 and held office until 1951, taking a leave of absence to serve as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Roberts won four terms as governor before being defeated by Christopher Del Sesto. 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. In 1960 he sought the Democratic nomination for a U.S. Senate seat but was defeated. He went on to chair the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention, where he proved controversial for recommending a unicameral state legislature.