Robert Menzies | |
President of Australia | |
In office:
January 26, 1960 - January 26, 1970 | |
Preceded by: |
Unknown |
Succeeded by: |
Paul Hasluck |
Prime Minister of Australia | |
In office:
1939 - 1944 1951 - 1960 | |
Preceded by: |
Joseph Lyons |
Succeeded by: |
John Curtin |
Leader of the Opposition | |
In office:
April 25, 1944 - December 7, 1951 | |
Preceded by: | Unknown |
Succeeded by: | Unknown |
Biography | |
Born: |
December 20 1894, Jeparit, Victoria, Australia |
Died | May 15 1978, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Nationality: | Australian |
Political party: | |
Spouse: |
Pattie Menzies |
Children: | 3 |
Alma mater: |
University of Melbourne |
Occupation: | Politician |
Religion: | Presbyterianism |
Robert Menzies was an Australian who served as Prime Minister of Australia (1939 - 1944, 1951 - 1960), and later served as President (1960 - 1970).
Following the death of Joseph Lyons, Menzies was elected leader of the Nationalist Party.
The nationalists were reelected in 1941, but with a reduced majority. Menzies led Australia through the first three years of the second world war, before being defeated in the 1944 election.
He led the nationalists in opposition, and to further electoral defeats in 1946 and 1948. During this period there were several attempts to remove Menzies from the party leadership, all of which failed.
In 1951 Menzies led the Nationalists to a landslide election victory, ending 7 years of Labor government. Under Menzies the Nationalists won further election victories in 1954, 1955 and 1958.
In 1959 Menzies retired from the Prime Ministerhip, instead taking the ceremonial office of President.
He left office as President in 1970, and retired from public life. He died in 1978.