| John Howard | |
| |
| Prime Minister of Australia | |
| In office:
March 1, 1994 - July 26, 2004 | |
| Preceded by: | Paul Keating |
| Succeded by: | Peter Costello |
| President of Australia | |
| In office:
June 10, 2005 - June 10, 2009 | |
| Preceded by: | Andrew Peacock |
| Succeded by: | |
| Leader of the National Party | |
|
In office: November 14, 1985 - July 26, 2004 | |
| Preceded by: | Andrew Peacock |
| Succeded by: | Peter Costello |
|
Member of Parliament for Bennelong | |
| In office:
September 9, 1964 - July 26, 2004 | |
| Preceded by: | |
| Succeeded by: | |
| Biography | |
| Born: |
July 26 1939, Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia |
| Birth name: | John Robert Howard |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Political party: | National |
| Spouse: | Janette Howard |
| Children: |
Melanie, Tim, Richard |
| Alma mater: | University of Sydney |
| Occupation: | Politician |
| Religion: | Anglican |
Early Life[]
John Robert Howard was born on July 26 1939 in Earlwood, New South Wales, to Mona and Lyall Howard. Lyall ran a petrol station, and was a strong supporter of the National Party, and its leader, Robert Menzies, giving Howard his middle name.
Howard was a good student, despite hearing problems and a speech impediment, and in 1960 he graduated from Sydney University with a degree in Law.
Howard had hoped to go into the legal profession, but his poor hearing made it difficult for him to perform well in a courtroom.
Early Political Career[]
Howard had joined the Young Nationals - the youth wing of the National Party- in 1954, and in 1959 he joined the Party itself.
Upon graduating he was hired by the prospective National Candidate for Parkes, Tom Hughes, to run his campaign in the 1961 federal election. The seat had been held by Labor since 1929, and even Hughes doubted his electability. But to everyone's amazement Hughes was elected, and Howard gained most of the credit.
Shortly after the election he was hired by the Attorney General, Garfield Barwick, as a personal private secretary.
But within a year Howard had had enough of the job, and was selected as the National Party candidate for the seat of Hughes in the 1962 election. He did not win the seat, but was able to half the majority of the Labor incumbent.
Following his defeat Howard was elected to the National Party Federal Committee, becoming a senior advisor by 1963.
In 1964 he was selected for the safe National Party Seat of Bennelong, replacing the retireing MP. He was elected, increasing the Nationalist's majority.