Stanley Bruce
Stanley Melbourne Bruce was an influential Australian political figure and the 14th Prime Minister of Australia, serving from 1923 to 1929. Born on April 15, 1883, in St. Kilda, Victoria, he came from an affluent family and received his education in England and Australia, ultimately graduating in law from Cambridge University. His career spanned multiple fields, including business, law, and military service, where he earned recognition for his bravery during World War I, receiving the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre.
Bruce's political career began when he was elected to the federal parliament in 1918, where he eventually became the treasurer and then the prime minister. His administration focused on national development and enhancing Australia's trade relationships with Britain. Despite his initial successes, he lost the 1929 election amidst the economic struggles of the Great Depression, marking a significant shift in his political trajectory.
After leaving the Nationalist Party, he became a member of the United Australia Party and later served as Australia's High Commissioner to Britain from 1933 to 1945, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing Australia's international standing. Bruce's legacy includes contributions to diplomatic relations and various Australian institutions, including serving as the first chancellor of the Australian National University. He passed away on August 25, 1967, in London, leaving behind a complex legacy of public service and leadership.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Stanley Bruce
Politician
- Born: April 15, 1883
- Birthplace: St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia
- Died: August 25, 1967
- Place of death: London, England
Also known as: Stanley Melbourne Bruce
Significance: Stanley Melbourne Bruce was a politician and statesman who was prime minister of Australia for six and a half years in the 1920s. He served as Australia’s High Commissioner to Britain for twelve years during the 1930s and 1940s.
Background
Stanley Melbourne Bruce was born on April 15, 1883, in St. Kilda, Victoria, in Australia. The youngest of five children of John Munro Bruce and Mary Ann Bruce, he was born into an affluent family. When he was very young he moved to England, where his father was a partner in the British importing firm Paterson, Laing and Bruce. He began his schooling with a tutor in England. After he returned to Australia, he attended a private prep school in Toorak and then the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School. An avid athlete, he was captain of the rowing, cricket, and football teams at Melbourne. He completed his studies at Melbourne in 1901, the same year his father died.
After graduating, Bruce worked at the family firm in Melbourne for a year. In 1902, he entered Trinity College at Cambridge University, where he studied law and was on the rowing team. He earned his degree from the school in 1905.
Business, Legal, and Military Careers
After graduating from Cambridge, Bruce was admitted to the bar and worked in London as a barrister. In 1907, he was named acting chair of Paterson, Laing and Bruce; he became the permanent chair the following year.
In 1914, after World War I began, Bruce enlisted in the British Army, where he was commissioned into the Worchester Regiment in January 1915. He participated in the Gallipoli campaign and was wounded twice. He left combat duty in October 1915 and convalesced in England. In June 1917, he was discharged from the military. In recognition of his bravery and service, he was awarded the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre.
Bruce returned to Australia in early 1917, where he resumed working in the family firm. Heralded as a war hero, he gave speeches at recruitment rallies and gained recognition among the public and political community for his military service.
Political Career
In 1918, members of the Nationalist Party persuaded Bruce to run in a by-election for a seat in the federal parliament. He won the seat for Flinders and was reelected in 1919. In 1921, he became the treasurer in William Morris Hughes’s government. That same year, he served as a delegate to a meeting of the League of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
After the Nationalist Party failed to gain a majority in the 1922 election, the Country Party refused to form a coalition with Hughes. When Hughes resigned on February 9, 1923, Bruce replaced him as party leader, became prime minister, and formed a coalition with the Country Party. His administration focused on national development. Bruce also sought to increase Australia’s voice in its relations with Great Britain, particularly in terms of improving trade to better benefit Australia’s interests. Other achievements of his government include establishing the Australian Loan Council, the Australian Air Force, and the Australian police force. He won reelection twice, but lost the 1929 election due to discontent about unemployment during the Great Depression and his refusal to compromise over industrial relations. He was succeeded by James Scullin of the Australian Labor Party on October 22, 1929. Bruce also lost his seat in parliament in the 1929 election, becoming the first prime minister to lose a parliamentary election while in office.
Bruce soon left the Nationalist Party and joined the United Australia Party, a predecessor of the modern centre-right Liberal Party of Australia. He returned to parliament as the member for Flinders in December 1931, when he was reelected in absentia. He served as assistant treasurer until 1932, when he led Australia’s delegates to the Imperial Economic Conference in the United Kingdom. He then became Australia’s resident minister to England. From 1933 to 1945, he was Australia’s High Commissioner to Britain. Highly regarded for his diplomacy, he was a member of the Australian delegation to the League of Nations’ General Assembly in 1932, and chaired a 1936 League of Nations conference in Montreux, Switzerland, that gave Turkey control of the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits. Also in 1936, he was president of the League Council.
Bruce remained in London after his term as high commissioner ended and became the chairman of the World Food Council and of the Finance Corporation in 1947. From 1952 to 1961, he was the first chancellor of the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. He died in London on August 25, 1967.
Impact
As both Australia’s High Commissioner to Britain and a delegate to the League of Nations, Bruce helped to improve Australia’s international standing and reputation. He strengthened relations between Australia and England and demonstrated Australia’s willingness to help build a foundation for peace and cooperation among nations during the postwar years and gained a reputation for his personal integrity and diplomatic skills.
Personal Life
Bruce and Ethel Dunlop married in 1913. They lived in London, England, and Melbourne, Australia. Bruce’s personal interests included road trips, bridge, golf, and theater.
Bibliography
Bramston, Troy. “Stanley Bruce and Mustafa Ataturk Were Foes in Battle, Allies in Peace.” TheAustralian, 25 Apr. 2015, www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/opinion/stanley-bruce-and-mustafa-ataturk-were-foes-in-battle-allies-in-peace/news-story/ecc0053702ecb11bdc86765121accd6c. Accessed 17 Apr. 2020.
Ellery, David. “Stanley Melbourne Bruce Had Strong Ties to Canberra.” TheCanberra Times, 22 Aug. 2014, www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6136879/stanley-melbourne-bruce-had-strong-ties-to-canberra. Accessed 17 Apr. 2020.
Murphy, James C. “Issues that Swung Elections: The Bitter Dispute that Cost PM Stanley Bruce His Seat in 1929.” TheConversation, 29 Apr. 2019, theconversation.com/issues-that-swung-elections-the-bitter-dispute-that-cost-pm-stanley-bruce-his-seat-in-1929-115129. Accessed 17 Apr. 2020.
Radi, Heather. “Bruce, Stanley Melbourne (1833–1967).” Australian Dictionary ofBiography, vol. 7, 1979, adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bruce-stanley-melbourne-5400. Accessed 17 Apr. 2020.
“Stanley Bruce.” Australian Prime Ministers, primeministers.moadoph.gov.au/prime-ministers/stanley-bruce. Accessed 17 Apr. 2020.
“Stanley Melbourne Bruce.” National ArchivesofAustralia, primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/bruce/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2020.