Edward Gough Whitlam was born on July 11, 1916, at Kew, Victoria.
A photograph of Gough Whitlam, autographed in 1997.
Whitlam married Margaret Dovey in 1942. Margaret died in 2012, aged 92.
Whitlam gained a B.A. and LL.B from Sydney University. He practised as a barrister and became a Queen’s Counsel in 1962.
In 1941, during World War II, Whitlam enlisted in the R.A.A.F. General Duties Branch. He was discharged in 1945 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
Whitlam was elected to the House of Representatives for Werriwa, New South Wales, at a by-election on 29 November 1952, following the death of H.P. Lazzarini.
He became Deputy Leader of the Opposition from March 7, 1960 to February 8, 1967. He became leader of the ALP on February 8, 1967 and served as Leader of the Oppostion until December 5, 1972.
He was Prime Minister from December 5, 1972 to November 11, 1975, and again served as Leader of the Opposition from January 27, 1976 to December 22, 1977.
Whitlam resigned from Parliament on July 31, 1978. In 1983, he was appointed Ambassador to UNESCO, a post that had been offered to Sir John Kerr in 1978.
Whitlam died in Sydney on October 21, 2014, at the age of 98.
Archived Posts
1952
- Werriwa Counting Nearly Complete December 1, 1952
1967
- Newspapers Report Whitlam’s Election As ALP Leader February 9, 1967
1975
- Whitlam’s 1975 ALP Membership Ticket January 1, 1975
- Whitlam Tries To Speak Greek On 3ZZ May 13, 1975
- PM’s Birthday Blast July 11, 1975
- Whitlam Promises To Drink More August 1, 1975
- Whitlam Attends Funeral Of Jack Lang September 30, 1975
- On The Morning Of The Dismissal November 11, 1975
- Sir John Kerr’s Letter Of Dismissal November 11, 1975
1977
- Whitlam’s 10th Anniversary As ALP Leader February 8, 1977
- 1977 Federal Election: Whitlam Addresses ALP Election Rally At Moorabbin Town Hall November 28, 1977
- Did The Earth Move For You Too, Dear… November 30, 1977
- Whitlam Resigns The ALP Leadership Following Election Defeat December 10, 1977
- Whitlam Concedes Defeat, Resigns Leadership December 10, 1977
1980
- Five Years After The Dismissal, Whitlam Speaks To Derryn Hinch November 11, 1980
1985
- Ten Years On, Channel 9’s Sunday Program Remembers The Dismissal November 10, 1985
- Whitlam Interviewed By Willesee On 10th Anniversary of The Dismissal November 11, 1985
- Gough Whitlam Interviewed On The 10th Anniversary Of The Dismissal November 11, 1985
1995
- 20 Years On: Four Corners Remembers The Dismissal November 11, 1995
1996
- Howard Congratulates Whitlam On Turning 80 July 11, 1996
2002
- Whitlam In His Own Words November 10, 2002
2005
- Whitlam’s Tribute To Mark Latham January 18, 2005
2006
- Whitlam, Grand Old Man Of Australian Politics, Turns 90 July 11, 2006
2007
- Gough Whitlam, 91 Years Young July 11, 2007
2012
- Margaret Whitlam Dies, 92 March 17, 2012
- Parliamentary Tributes To Margaret Whitlam March 23, 2012
- When Murdoch Fought Whitlam August 26, 2012
2013
- Whitlam Turns 97 July 11, 2013
- Whitlam Votes In ALP Leadership Election October 10, 2013
2014
- Whitlam Turns 98 July 11, 2014
- GOUGH WHITLAM DIES AT 98 October 21, 2014
- House Of Representatives Marks Death Of Gough Whitlam October 21, 2014
- Abbott Announces Memorial Service For Gough Whitlam October 24, 2014
- House Of Representatives Condolences For Gough Whitlam Continue October 27, 2014
- Senate Condolences For Gough Whitlam October 27, 2014
- House Of Representatives Condolences For Whitlam Conclude October 28, 2014