Bruce, Stanley Melbourne (1883-1967)

Australian National Party politician, prime minister 1923-29. He introduced a number of social welfare measures and sought closer economic ties with the UK, campaigning for ‘Imperial Preference’. With the economy worsening, he lost the 1929 general election and also his seat, but emerged as an energetic diplomat, serving as Australia's high commissioner to London from 1933 to 1945.

Born into a wealthy Victorian family, he studied at Cambridge University, England, practised as a barrister in the UK, and was wounded fighting in World War I. On his return to Australia, he was elected to the federal parliament in 1918 and served as treasurer in Billy Hughes's National Government (1921-22). He was made a viscount in 1947 and worked in the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization from 1946 to 1951.