Joseph Lyons

About Joseph Lyons:

Early life and Education:

Joseph Aloysius Lyons, the tenth Prime Minister of Australia was born on 15 September 1879 at Stanley, Tasmania. He was born to an Irish-born couple Michael Henry Lyons and his wife Ellen, née Carroll. He became Prime Minister of Australia in January 1932 and held the position until his death in April 1939. He was the first Australian Prime Minister who died in his office.

His schooling was at St Joseph's Convent School, Ulverstone. Later John Scott, a teacher at Stanley State School helped him find a job. He joined as a monitor, assisting the education of younger children. He taught at small country schools. He proved himself good at debating and very soon he became an efficient platform speaker. On 28 April 1915 he married Enid Muriel Burnell and they had twelve children. He was a member of Roman Catholic Church and Hobart United Irish League.

Political Life:

He entered politics by joining the North-West League of the Workers' Political League. But the education department was against his involvement in politics. Subsequent clashes between him and the Education Department forced him resume his political career as a critic of the education system. In 1909 he resigned from his teaching job to contest the State seat of Wilmot for Labor. He won the election and addressed mainly educational issues in the parliament including the need for post-primary state schools and equal pay for women teachers. He also served as president of the State branch, deputy leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party, treasurer, minister for education and minister for railways. He played a vital role in the reformation of education system.While he was the Prime Minister, he took the Treasury portfolio and advocated a program aiming at reducing debt and government expenditure. Lyons died on 7th April 1939, at Darlinghurst, Sydney. His body was buried in the Tasmanian soil at Devonport.

The honors bestowed on him include Privy Councillor (1932) and Companion of Honour (1936).

 

10th Prime Minister of Australia
In office:	6 January 1932�– 7 April 1939
Monarch	George V, Edward VIII, George VI
Governor General	Sir Isaac Isaacs, Lord Gowrie
Preceded by	James Scullin
Succeeded by	Earle Page
26th Premier of Tasmania
In office:	25 October 1923�– 15 June 1928
Governor	Sir James O'Grady
Preceded by	Sir Walter Lee
Succeeded by	Sir John McPhee
Member of the Australian Parliament for Wilmot
In office	12 October 1929�– 27 May 1939
Preceded by	Llewellyn Atkinson
Succeeded by	Lancelot Spurr
Personal details
Born	15 September 1879, Stanley, Tasmania, British Empire
Died	7 April 1939 (aged 59), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political party	Labor; United Australia
Spouse(s)	Enid Lyons (1917-1939, his death)
Children	12
Alma mater	Philip Smith Teachers' Training College
Religion	Roman Catholicism