Australia saw its first Catholic Prime Minister—James Scullin—a full 32 years before America swore in its first Catholic President (JFK).
And in the same way that Kennedy’s election was dogged by Protestant protests, Scullin received his fair share of anti-Catholic hate, especially in Melbourne where the Protestant population was dominant.
Labor historian Michael Easson AM has just written an excellent portrait of Scullin for Connor Court Publishing’s popular Australian Biographical Series. Running at just over 100 pages, this concise biography captures all of the key points of Scullin’s life.
In his introduction, Easson describes his subject succinctly:
“James Scullin, early school leaver, jack-of-all-trades turned grocer, journalist, Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) organiser and politician, pious and devout Catholic, is more of a puzzle than might be expected. Bewildered and politically devoured by the economic and sociopolitical turmoil of the Great depression, Prime Minister 1929-1932, Leader of the Labor Party, 1928 to 1935, Leader of the Opposition in 1928 and again from 1932-1935, Member of the House of Representatives from 1910-1913, and again from 1922 to 1949, Scullin was decried as “the man who failed, even at failure.”
What follows is a chronological overview of Scullin’s life, from his birth in 1876 to working class Irish immigrants, to his school days near Ballarat, Victoria, and prodigious talent as a debater.
His gift of the gab was to serve him well as he entered politics and rose to leadership just as the Great Depression began.
Easson delves into the fractured political landscape and economic turmoil in which Scullin found himself. The author always treats his subject with respect and empathy, and attributes Scullin’s staunch Catholic faith as a profound influence on the way he conducted himself as a politician.
“Scullin faced many policy and political challenges. Besides the Great Depression, there was Labor Party factionalism and betrayal, and the need to deal with strong and difficult personalities. Amid all those unrelenting pressures, Scullin’s intrinsic decency, sincerity, and humility stood out.”
Scullin died in 1953. His grave is marked by a tall granite Celtic cross. Emblazoned on the stonework are Scullin’s words:
“Justice and Humanity demand interference whenever the weak are being crushed by the strong.”
Easson’s book is an approachable exploration of the life of a politician who never felt comfortable with the trappings of earthly power and who lived by his Catholic principles to the very end.
James Scullin Michael Easson
(Australian Biographical Monograph, no.24)
Paperback, 112 pages, $19.95.