Curtin, Elsie (1890–1975)

views updated

Curtin, Elsie (1890–1975)

Australian prime-ministerial wife. Born Elsie Needham, Oct 4, 1890, in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia; died June 24, 1975, in Cottesloe, Perth, Western Australia; m. John Curtin (14th prime minister of Australia, 1941–1945), April 21, 1917; children: Elsie (b. 1917); John (b. 1921).

Lived with parents in Cape Town, South Africa (1898–1910); at 17, joined the Social Democratic Federation there; moved back to Australia, settling in Hobart; was an active member of the Labor women's organization; joined husband on official wartime visits to Washington and Ottawa (1944); after husband died in office (July 5, 1945), continued working with the Labor Party for next 20 years. Named Commander in the Order of the British Empire (1970).

More From encyclopedia.com