19 Facts About Peter Coleman

William Peter Coleman was an Australian writer and politician.

Peter Coleman then travelled to the United Kingdom to study political philosophy at the London School of Economics under Michael Oakeshott, completing a thesis on the French philosopher Georges Sorel.

Peter Coleman graduated as Master of Science in 1952.

Together they had two daughters, Tanya, who became a lawyer and later wife of Deputy Liberal Leader Peter Coleman Costello, Ursula, a children's writer, and a son William, who is an economist.

In 1961 it was absorbed by the legendary but ailing political and literary magazine The Bulletin and Peter Coleman subsequently became editor of The Bulletin between 1964 and 1967.

When Peter Coleman resigned from The Bulletin in 1967 he became editor of Quadrant magazine, a position he held for twenty years.

In 1968 Peter Coleman was elected the Liberal member for Fuller, a marginal seat taking in North Ryde, Gladesville and Hunters Hill, in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, defeating the Labor Member Frank Downing.

In 1974, Peter Coleman became the Chairman of the Select Committee into Appointment of Judges to the High Court, which examined different judicial appointment methods prior to the 1977 Federal Referendum.

Peter Coleman was then further promoted in June 1975 as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Tom Lewis, in which capacity he served only five months until his promotion to Cabinet.

Peter Coleman was made a Minister of the Crown in October 1975 as the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Revenue.

When Sir Eric Willis became Premier, Peter Coleman was appointed to the revived office of Chief Secretary from January 1976.

In opposition under Eric Willis, Peter Coleman served as the Shadow Minister for Justice and Services.

On 16 December 1977, Willis resigned and Peter Coleman was elected as the leader by the party.

Peter Coleman himself lost his seat of Fuller to Hunter's Hill Municipal Council Alderman, Rodney Cavalier, a result that had been anticipated by some.

In September 1979, Peter Coleman was appointed as Administrator of Norfolk Island.

Peter Coleman retired from parliament before the 1987 election and resumed his literary career.

On leaving politics, Peter Coleman resumed his career as a full-time writer, publishing widely both journalism and books, including a major history of the intellectuals and the Cold War, The Liberal Conspiracy.

Peter Coleman published a selection of poetry, a cookbook and a collection of his Quadrant essays, The Last Intellectuals.

Peter Coleman was a regular contributor to the Australian edition of The Spectator with a weekly column entitled 'Australian Notes' and contributed to The Australian and ABC programs.