13 Facts About Malcolm Ritchie

Sir Thomas Malcolm Ritchie was an Australian businessman and political activist.

Malcolm Ritchie served as the inaugural federal president of the Liberal Party of Australia, in office from 1945 to 1947 and from 1949 to 1951.

Malcolm Ritchie was the son of Margaret and Thomas Ritchie.

Malcolm Ritchie's mother was a tailor and his father, born in Scotland, was a tinsmith.

Malcolm Ritchie attended the Lee Street State School and then won a scholarship to the Working Men's College, Melbourne, where he studied mechanical and electrical engineering.

Malcolm Ritchie established his own company at the age of 21, "the first in Australia to manufacture heavy-duty electrical switchgear".

Malcolm Ritchie later formed partnerships with British and American companies, allowing him to "employ thousands of workers in four states".

Malcolm Ritchie eventually became the company's chairman and managing director, and chaired the Australian subsidiary of Crompton Parkinson.

Malcolm Ritchie served on the New South Wales Electricity Advisory Committee from 1935 to 1946.

Malcolm Ritchie chaired the provisional executive of the Liberal Party of Australia in 1945 and was chosen as the inaugural federal president.

Malcolm Ritchie was replaced by Richard Casey in 1947, but when Casey returned to parliament in 1949 he was elected to a second term.

Malcolm Ritchie came into conflict with the party's inaugural leader Robert Menzies over the influence of business within the party and the role of the organisational wing in making policy.

Malcolm Ritchie died at his home on 22 February 1971, aged 76.