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John Curtin

John Curtin is one among the most successful politicians of Australia. He was born to a working-class Irish immigrant parents in Victoria, in 1885. Curtin’s early education was at public and Catholic parish primary schools. He continued expanding his knowledge through wide reading. Later he was inspired by socialist activists such as Tom Mann and Frank Anstey.

Their influence led to his involvement in the labor movement and politics. He started his career as a copy boy on The Age newspaper and later joined Rambler as a printer's assistant. In 1903 he joined the Titan Manufacturing Company where he continued for eight years as a clerk. Curtin married Elsie Needham on 21 April 1917, Perth. They had two children Elsie, born in 1917 and John in 1921.

It was on 7 October 1941, during the most critical phase of World War II; John Curtin became Australia's fourteenth prime minister. He was the first one to come up with efficient implementation policies for Australia's post-war recovery that includes improvements in social security, full employment and assisted immigration.

It is sad that John Curtin, the greatest wartime leader the world has ever seen couldn’t witness his country’s victory and drew his last breath in office on 5 July 1945, just a few weeks before the world war ended.

14th Prime Minister of Australia
In office	7 October 1941 – 5 July 1945
Monarch	George VI
Governor General	Lord Gowrie The Duke of Gloucester
Preceded by	Arthur Fadden
Succeeded by	Frank Forde
Leader of the Labor Party
In office	23 September 1935 – 5 July 1945
Deputy	Frank Forde
Preceded by	James Scullin
Succeeded by	Frank Forde
Leader of the Opposition
In office	23 September 1935 – 7 October 1941
Deputy	Frank Forde
Preceded by	James Scullin
Succeeded by	Arthur Fadden
Member of the Australian Parliament for Fremantle
In office	15 September 1934 – 5 July 1945
Preceded by	William Watson
Succeeded by	Kim Beazley
In office	17 November 1928 – 19 December 1931
Preceded by	William Watson
Succeeded by	William Watson
Personal details
Born	John Joseph Curtin 8 January 1885 Creswick, Colony of Victoria, British Empire
Died	5 July 1945 (aged 60) Canberra, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Labor
Spouse(s)	Elsie Curtin
Children	2
Religion	Agnosticism