33 Facts About Frank Tudor

Francis Gwynne Tudor was an Australian politician who served as the leader of the Australian Labor Party from 1916 until his death.

Frank Tudor had previously been a government minister under Andrew Fisher and Billy Hughes.

Frank Tudor left school at a young age to enter the workforce, serving an apprenticeship in the felt hat industry and later studying his trade for periods in England and the United States.

Frank Tudor became involved in trade unionism in England, and after returning to Australia served as president of the Felt Hatters' Union.

Frank Tudor was elected president of the Victorian Trades Hall Council in 1900.

Frank Tudor was chosen as the parliamentary party's first whip, and held that position until entering cabinet in 1908.

Frank Tudor served as Minister for Trade and Customs from 1908 to 1909,1910 to 1913, and 1914 to 1916, in the governments of Andrew Fisher and Billy Hughes.

Frank Tudor remained loyal to the Labor Party during the split over conscription in 1916, and was elected party leader after Hughes' expulsion.

Frank Tudor replaced Joseph Cook as leader of the opposition upon the formation of the third Hughes Ministry in February 1917.

Frank Tudor led Labor to the 1917 and 1919 federal elections, on both occasions suffering heavy defeats.

Frank Tudor was the first leader of a major Australian political party to die in office, and was accorded a state funeral.

However, the family soon moved to the Melbourne suburb of Richmond, where Frank Tudor lived most of his life.

Frank Tudor apprenticed in Abbotsford and then travelled across Victoria in the hat trade.

Frank Tudor went to England, working in London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester, marrying Alice Smale in Denton, Lancashire in 1894.

Smale died the same year, but Frank Tudor continued in the felt hat trade by moving to London and becoming vice-president of the local branch of the Felt Hatters' Union.

Frank Tudor was president of the Victorian Life Saving Society, and held a Bronze Medallion as a qualified life saver.

Frank Tudor had a long association with the Richmond Football Club, and served as club president from 1909 to 1918.

Frank Tudor was a deacon of the Congregational Church and angered some Protestants with his calls for Home Rule for Ireland.

Frank Tudor was immediately elected the Labor Party's whip and assistant secretary, before ascending to the position of secretary in 1904.

Frank Tudor maintained his position in the ministry, and initially remained neutral during the debate within the ALP over overseas conscription, which Hughes supported.

Frank Tudor did not succeed Liberal leader Joseph Cook as Leader of the Opposition until 17 February 1917, when the Third Hughes Ministry was sworn in with Hughes as leader of the composite Nationalist Party.

Frank Tudor led his party to a landslide defeat at the 1917 federal election.

Frank Tudor was a leader of the successful "No" campaign at the 1917 conscription referendum.

Frank Tudor was not regarded as a good public speaker, and his speeches were often seen as dull or confusing.

In May 1918, Frank Tudor had to officially deny a report in The Age that he would step aside in favour of Ryan prior to the next federal election.

Frank Tudor was "unconsciously insulted" by a number of delegates, who effectively declared that he could not lead Labor to an election victory.

Frank Tudor's leadership was defended by his supporters in the Victorian delegation, who threatened a walkout, and by those who viewed the resolution as usurping the role of the party caucus in choosing their leader.

Frank Tudor was twice taken ill during the campaign with "attacks of hemorrhage".

Frank Tudor was increasingly seen as an ineffectual leader, and several elements were contemplating replacing him with Ryan.

Frank Tudor was the first leader of the Labor Party to die in office, and the first Opposition Leader never to become prime minister.

Frank Tudor was succeeded as the member for Yarra by future Prime Minister James Scullin.

Frank Tudor was the first of five consecutive Opposition Leaders who was not a former prime minister.

Frank Tudor's widow went bankrupt within the year, after her brother's firm went broke.