David W. Dumas Papers (Mss. Gr. 151)

Biographical note

David W. Dumas was born in 1943 in Lowell, Massachusetts. He graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts in 1960. In 1964, he graduated from Brown University with an A.B. in Latin, and also earned an M.A. in Classics and History from the University in 1977. In addition, he obtained his L.L.B. and J.D. in 1967 from the University of Virginia Law School. In 1982, Mr. Dumas was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives from District 43 in East Greenwich. He was elected Republican House Minority Leader in 1990, a post which he held until 1992, when he decided not to seek re-election to the Rhode Island House. In the early 1990’s, he was a member of the select commission to investigate the failure of Rhode Island Share and Deposit Indemnity Corporation-insured institutions (RISDIC). He was also a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on the General Assembly, as well as the Rhode Island Ethics Commission. Prior to his time in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Mr. Dumas served on the East Greenwich School Committee from 1976-1983, and was the chair of the Committee from 1976-1980. Mr. Dumas has also taught several classes at local colleges and universities. From 1988-1994, he was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Rhode Island, where he taught courses such as Administrative Law and Procedure and the American Legal System. He was also an Adjunct Professor at the Community College of Rhode Island from 1995-1996, where he taught a number of classes, including Western Civilization and State and Local Government. Mr. Dumas has also held membership in several prominent organizations, including the Brown University Alumni Schools Program, the Society of the Cincinnati, the Society of Colonial Wars, the Providence Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Rhode Island Historical Society. Mr. Dumas is currently a lawyer in private practice in East Greenwich.