John Curtin

John Curtin (January 8 1885 – July 5 1945), Australian politician and 14th Prime Minister of Australia, led Australia through the darkest period of its history: when the Australian mainland came under direct military threat during the Japanese advance in World War II. Many Australians regard him as the country's greatest political leader and greatest Prime Minister.

The Curtin Legend

His early death and the sentiments it aroused have given Curtin a unique place in Australian political history. Successive Labor leaders, particularly his fellow Western Australians Bob Hawke and Kim Beazley, have sought to build on the Curtin tradition of "patriotic Laborism". Even some political conservatives pay at least formal homage to the Curtin legend, similar to the way some Labor supporters acknowlegde the impact of Liberal Party of Australia hero Menzies.

Related Topics:
Bob Hawke - Kim Beazley

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Curtin is commemorated by Curtin University of Technology in Perth, John Curtin SHS in Fremantle, the John Curtin School of Medical Research in Canberra and the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library. On the 14th of August 2005 a bronze statue of John Curtin was unveiled by Premier Dr. Geoff Gallop in front of Fremantle Town Hall and was commissioned to coincide with V-P Day.

Related Topics:
Curtin University of Technology - John Curtin School of Medical Research - Geoff Gallop - V-P

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