Australian statesman Robert Gordon Menzies began his career as a lawyer. In 1928 he entered the provincial government and was elected to the Australian parliament in 1934.
From 1934 to 1939 he served as Australia's Attorney General, and in 1939, became Prime Minister upon the death of Joseph Lyons, a position he held for two years.
From 1943 to 1949, he led the parliamentary opposition to the Liberal government. Menzies was re-elected Prime Minister in 1949, remaining at that post until 1966.
He established strong ties with the US, and was instrumental in guiding Australia's development of a thriving economy.