Robert Menzies

Sir Robert Gordon Menzies (20 December 1894 – 14 May 1978), Australian politician, was the twelfth and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia serving eighteen and a half years. He had a rapid rise to power, but his first term as Prime Minister was a failure. He spent eight years in the wilderness before playing a crucial role in reshaping the Liberal Party and making a successful comeback, and he dominated Australian politics in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Early life

Menzies was born in Jeparit, a small town in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, the son of a storekeeper and state Member of Parliament of Scottish descent. Menzies's uncle and father-in-law were also politicians. He was inordinately proud of his Highland ancestry -- his enduring nick-name, Ming, came from "Mingus," the Scots pronunciation of "Menzies," although it was also a reference to the evil emperor Ming The Merciless in the science fiction cartoon Flash Gordon.

Related Topics:
Jeparit - Wimmera - Victoria - Scots - Science fiction - Cartoon - Flash Gordon

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Menzies was first educated at a one-room school, then later at private schools in Ballarat and Melbourne, and studied law at the University of Melbourne. He was a brilliant student. When he was 19 the First World War broke out. His family decided that his elder brothers would enlist. It was stated that since the family had made enough of a sacrifice to the war with the enlistment of these brothers, Menzies should stay to finish his studies. This decision would later haunt Menzies's political career.

Related Topics:
One-room school - Ballarat - Melbourne - University of Melbourne - First World War

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Menzies graduated in law from Melbourne in 1916 and was called to the Bar in 1918. He soon became one of Melbourne's leading lawyers and began to acquire a considerable fortune.

Related Topics:
1916 - 1918

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In 1919 Menzies met Pattie Leckie, the daughter of Federal MP John Leckie. Menzies and Pattie married at Kew Presbyterian Church on 27 September 1920. Pattie was reportedly a moderating influence of Menzies. Their first home was a rented flat in Kew. They soon bought the house in Howard Street, Kew that became their family home for 25 years.

Related Topics:
1919 - Pattie Leckie - John Leckie - Kew - Presbyterian Church - 27 September - 1920

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