Gough Whitlam Biography

Gough Whitlam was born on July 11, 1916 in Kew, Melbourne. He was the oldest of two children and the son of Frederick Whitlam, who worked at the tax office for the ‘Commonwealth Public Service’. His father’s work took him from Melbourne to Sydney and Canberra during his young years.

He spent his early educational career in the schools ‘Mowbray House’, ‘Knox Grammar School’, ‘Telopea Park High School’, and Canberra Boys' Grammar School. While in high school he edited the school magazines, the ‘Telopea’, and ‘The Canberran’.

In 1935, he began studying at the ‘University of Sydney’ where he received his arts degree and law degree. He edited the college journal ‘The Pauline,’ and the magazine ‘Hermes.’

’Pearl Harbor’ incident during the World War inspired Gough Whitlam to register with the ‘Royal Australian Air Force’. He was not called right away but in June of 1942 he was called to service. He was a navigator and served to protect certain convoys in northern Australia for much of the war.

On August 8, 1945 he decided to join the ‘Labor Party’. He joined the Darlinghurst branch and wrapped up his military service a few months later.

In 1947 he was admitted to the New South Wales and federal courts after completing his law degree. For the next few years he campaigned for positions within the local government and became a more well-known local figure.

In late November of 1952, he was elected to the House of Representatives. He joined the ‘Australian Labor Party’ minority and began gaining popularity within the group.

In 1960, Gough Whitlam became deputy leader of the ‘Australian Labor Party’ by election. His modern outlook, coupled with the fact that he was significantly younger than other party leaders, appealed more to the youth of the nation.

On December 5, 1972, he became the first Prime Minister hailing from Labor Party. His program was immediately put in place. During his reign the amount of Bills that were initiated and enacted was record breaking.

In 1975, Whitlam’s parliament was in a terrible political deadlock and was having difficulty agreeing upon and passing the budget. On November 11, 1975, Governor John Kerr made a move which effectively dismissed him as Prime Minister.

In the 1977 election, Gough Whitlam lost and decided to quit the party leadership. A year later he resigned from parliament.

In January 1973, Gough Whitlam's government recognized Communist China and resumed diplomatic relations with the country which had been halted for over 24 years. In October 1975, he became the first Prime Minister to visit the People’s Republic of China.

In 1975, the revolutionary ‘Family Law Act’ was enacted. It established the very first no fault divorce law in the world. The first national Family Court was created.

In 1979, he published ‘The Truth of the Matter.’ The book explains the events which led to his dismissal as Prime Minister.

He was appointed as Australian Ambassador to UNESCO, in 1983. He took part in the ‘Independent Commission on International Humanitarian Issues’ and the ‘World Heritage Committee’.

In 1962, Gough Whitlam was appointed Queen’s Counsel. This Counsel is filled with the top ranking lawyers. After his extraordinary academic performance it was unsurprising he was able to achieve so much in his law career.

In 1976, he was bestowed the honor of ‘Socialist International Plate of Honour’. He was given this honor for all of the progressive and groundbreaking Bills he was able to pass during his time as Prime Minister.

In 1978, he was awarded the ‘Companion of the Order of Australia’. This award was given for his dedication to human rights and the environment.

Gough Whitlam married Margaret Elaine on April 22, 1942. The couple went on to have four children together: Antony, Nicholas, Stephen, and Catherine.

He passed away on October 21, 2014 of old age at 98.

In 2000, the ‘Whitlam Institute’ was created within the ‘University of Western Sydney’.

Gough Whitlam actually received his leaving certificate for high school in 1931 but was unable to go to university at the young age of 15. Until he could attend college, he continued studying with a focus on Ancient Greek