Robert Menzies
Sir Robert Gordon Menzies (* December 20 1894 in Jeparit, Victoria, † May 15, 1978 in Melbourne) was from 1939 to 1941 and from 1949 to 1966 Prime Minister of Australia.
Life
After studying law at the University of Melbourne in 1916, he worked from 1918 as a prosecutor in the High Court of Australia, from 1934 to 1939 as Attorney General. As a leading member (Chair 1943) Australian of the United National Party ( United Australia Party ) (since 1949: Liberal Party, Liberal Party ), he served from 1939 to 1941 as prime minister of Australia. Previously, he had projected some ministries such as the Ministry of Railways since 1934. He was the Lady Millie Peacock after the death of her husband, Sir Alexander Peacock encouraged to stand as successor to his seat in parliament and thus collect the first woman to parliament of the state of Victoria.
From 1943 to 1949 Menzies was considered a leader of the liberal opposition. After that, the proponents of close cooperation with Britain and the United States was prime minister again. 1963 he was appointed the British Queen Elizabeth II knighted.
After a tenure of 17 years, succeeded him in 1966, his designated successor Harold Holt from a pragmatic liberal economic and financial leaders, who drowned in Tanggürtel the seashore while bathing under not entirely unclear circumstances after only one year in office. Menzies was no longer for an official takeover available, so John Gorton was a successful candidate. From the Queen Menzies was appointed as the first Australian ever to the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.
Publications
- Afternoon Light. Some Memories of Men and Events. Cassell Australia Ltd.. 1967; as Penguin Book, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England in 1969.