Who was John Curtin?
John Curtin was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1941 to 1945, leading the country through most of World War II. He is widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest prime ministers.
Curtin was born in Creswick, Victoria, in 1885. He became involved in the labor movement and journalism, and moved to Western Australia, where he edited the Westralian Worker newspaper.
He became leader of the Australian Labor Party in 1935 and Prime Minister in October 1941, shortly before Japan entered the war.
Wartime leader
In December 1941, Curtin wrote that Australia looked to America, signaling a shift away from depending solely on Britain for defense. He also insisted on bringing Australian troops home to defend the country.
Curtin introduced conscription for overseas service in the Pacific and expanded the role of government in the war effort.
He died in office on 5 July 1945, just weeks before the war ended. Curtin University in Perth is named after him. His leadership during the war is remembered with respect.
The John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library at the university holds records of his life and career.