Socialite. He gained recognition as an American socialite who was a member of the exclusive "Mrs. Astor's Four Hundred" of New York's and Newport's upper society. Born into a respected, wealthy, and pioneer family of Rhode Island, his father was General Elisha Dyer, the 45th Governor of Rhode Island and Mayor of the City of Providence, and his mother, Nancy Anthony Viall Dyer. His grandfather, Elisha Dyer, was also a Rhode Island Governor. He was a descendant of Roger Williams, the founder of the Rhode Island Colony. Like his father and grandfather, he attended Brown University, graduating in 1883. He received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from Columbia Law School in 1885 and was admitted to the bar in that year. He became engaged in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island, as a private banker and broker. He married Sidney Turner Swan of Baltimore, and the couple had no children, but his wife had a daughter from a first marriage. The family lived in the "Wayside," a mansion that his wife had purchased six months before their marriage. In 1896, he demolished the existing house and replaced it with a grand 20-room Colonial Georgian-Revival mansion of sand-colored brick with black shutters and 15-foot ceilings, a fireplace in each room, carved oak doors, and a ballroom. The couple also had a residence in New York City. He was not only distinguished as the best-dressed man in Newport but he was recognized as Society's most accomplished dancer and led the intricate cotillions and balls at Mrs. Astor's elaborate entertainments during the New York and Newport "seasons." He succumbed to pneumonia after a brief illness at his Newport home. His widow remained at "Wayside" until her death.
Socialite. He gained recognition as an American socialite who was a member of the exclusive "Mrs. Astor's Four Hundred" of New York's and Newport's upper society. Born into a respected, wealthy, and pioneer family of Rhode Island, his father was General Elisha Dyer, the 45th Governor of Rhode Island and Mayor of the City of Providence, and his mother, Nancy Anthony Viall Dyer. His grandfather, Elisha Dyer, was also a Rhode Island Governor. He was a descendant of Roger Williams, the founder of the Rhode Island Colony. Like his father and grandfather, he attended Brown University, graduating in 1883. He received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from Columbia Law School in 1885 and was admitted to the bar in that year. He became engaged in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island, as a private banker and broker. He married Sidney Turner Swan of Baltimore, and the couple had no children, but his wife had a daughter from a first marriage. The family lived in the "Wayside," a mansion that his wife had purchased six months before their marriage. In 1896, he demolished the existing house and replaced it with a grand 20-room Colonial Georgian-Revival mansion of sand-colored brick with black shutters and 15-foot ceilings, a fireplace in each room, carved oak doors, and a ballroom. The couple also had a residence in New York City. He was not only distinguished as the best-dressed man in Newport but he was recognized as Society's most accomplished dancer and led the intricate cotillions and balls at Mrs. Astor's elaborate entertainments during the New York and Newport "seasons." He succumbed to pneumonia after a brief illness at his Newport home. His widow remained at "Wayside" until her death.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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