David Gordon Steuart was born on January 26, 1916 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to Francis J. Steuart and Abbie Cory Thomas. He was educated in Moose Jaw and Regina. In 1936, he moved to Prince Albert, where he became president of his family's grocery store, Steuart Brothers Grocery, later named Steuart Enterprises. In 1941 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served as a navigator.
In 1951, Steuart was elected to the Prince Albert City Council. He was elected Mayor of Prince Albert in 1954 and served until 1958. He also served as president of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association. By 1958, Steuart was a member of the Liberal Party of Saskatchewan executive, becoming party President in 1959.
Steuart was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly in 1962 and served as the Liberal Party member for the Prince Albert City constituency (1962-1967), Prince Albert West constituency (1967-1975), and Prince Albert-Duck Lake constituency (1975-1976). He served in the Ross Thatcher Government as Minister of Public Health (1964-1966); Minister of Natural Resources (1966-1967); Minister in charge of the Saskatchewan Power Corporation (Nov. 1967 to December 1967); Provincial Treasurer and Minister in charge of Saskatchewan Pulpwood Ltd. (Saskatchewan Timber Board) (1967-1971). He was also appointed deputy premier in 1965. He served as Leader of the Official Opposition (1971-1975). He resigned as Liberal Party leader in 1975 and was called to the Senate in 1976. As a senator, he was involved in many Standing Committees and a Special Joint Committee on Senate Reform. He served in the Senate until his retirement in 1991.
After his retirement in 1991, Steuart moved to Kelowna, British Columbia.
David Steuart married Eunice Mary Cooke on October 23, 1946. They had two children: Lynne and Robert.
