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Hon Sir Percy Spender

Sir Percy Claude Spender, KCVO, KBE, KStJ, KC (5 October 1897 - 3 May 1985), was an Australian diplomat, politician and jurist.

Spender was born in Sydney, Australia and educated at the University of Sydney, he joined the Commonwealth Public Service in 1915. He was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1923 and was made a King's Counsel in 1935.

Spender entered politics in 1937 when he was elected to the House of Representatives as member for Warringah. He ran as an independent, defeating the sitting member, Sir Archdale Parkhill. Soon after his election, he joined the government party, the United Australia Party, and held the seat until his resignation from federal politics in 1951. From 1944 was a member of the Liberal Party.

Spender held a number of ministries in the Menzies wartime government. He was initially made Minister without portfolio assisting the Treasurer (26 April 1939 - 3 November 1939), then Treasurer (14 March 1940 - 28 October 1940) and finally Minister for the Army (28 October 1940 - 7 October 1941). He was also a member of the Economic Cabinet (1939-1940), War Cabinet (1939 - 1941) and the Advisory War Council (1940-1945).

Upon Menzies return to power in 1949 Spender was made Minister for External Affairs (19 December 1949 - 26 April 1951) and Minister for External Territories. Spender's greatest influence on Australian politics occurred during this period. He led Australian delegations to the British Commonwealth Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka and to the Fifth Session of the United Nations General Assembly (of which he was the Vice-President).

At the conference in Colombo, Spender was instrumental in the development of the Colombo Plan (which had originally been known as the Spender Plan). He also played a large part in the signing of the ANZUS Pact and the Japanese Peace Treaty (1951).

On leaving politics Spender was appointed Australia's second Ambassador to the United States (1951-1958). He was the first Australian appointed to the International Court of Justice in The Hague (1958-1964) and was the Court's President from 1964 to 1967.

Spender was internationally well respected, receiving a variety of recognitions. He was conferred the Grande Ufficiale Order of Merit by the Repulic of Italy in 1976. He also received ten honorary doctorates. However, a personal rift between himself and Menzies prevented him from receiving the honour which he most desired, appointment to the Privy Council. Spender died in May 1985, aged 87 years.