William Hart was a mining engineer, company director and prominent citizen of Launceston. The son of F. Percy Hart, he was educated at Launceston Church Grammar School, Wesley College Melbourne, University of Melbourne and Queen's College. In 1915 he obtained a Batchelor of Mining Engineering with honours. He worked at Mount Lyall Co. as a mine draftsman, surveyor and as a metallurgist. He had a strong interest with the Launceston Port and was a member of the Launceston Marine Board. He was also a member of the Launceston Technical College Council for about twenty years. He held directorships in many companies including Cornwall Coal, Aberfoyle Tin and King Island Scheelite Ltd. He married Muriel Milsom in 1917 and had two children.