Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown (11 February 1885 – 12 January 1967) was an Australian politician who served as a Senator for Queensland from 1932 to 1965, representing the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He was President of the Senate from 1943 to 1951.

Early life Brown was born on 11 February 1885, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. He was the son of Jane (born Woodcock) and William Brown, who was a bootmaker and Methodist lay preacher. Brown attended Clay Cross Grammar School on a scholarship and was then apprenticed to a patternmaker at a steam-engine manufacturing company. He had a "restless disposition" and also briefly worked as a piano salesman and in a coal mine in the north of England. He was a member of the Social Democratic Federation and became "steeped in Marxian theory".

Canada In 1908, Brown moved to Canada where he became involved with the Socialist Party of Canada. His first major political speech was a three-hour address in Victoria, British Columbia. He stood unsuccessfully for the House of Commons in Victoria City at the 1911 federal election. Brown became disillusioned with the movement's lack of success and doctrinaire nature. Despite the ALP having a minority in the Senate, he tied with Walter Cooper in the ballot due to the absence of a United Australia Party senator and then had his name drawn from a hat in accordance with standing orders. Brown was elected President of the Senate on 23 September 1943, following the death in office of James Cunningham. He was re-elected unopposed in 1944, 1947 and 1950. His tenure ceased in 1951 when the Menzies government called a double dissolution and won a Senate majority.

Brown suffered a stroke in July 1951 while speaking against the Communist Party ban referendum bill. He collapsed at his desk and was attended by health minister Earle Page, before being taken to Canberra Community Hospital by ambulance. Brown made a full recovery and returned to the Senate in October 1951. He was re-elected to two further six-year terms, in 1953 and 1958, although his subsequent contributions to debate were limited.

Later life Brown published his memoirs, My Descent from Soapbox to Senate, in 1953.

He died on Thursday 12 January 1967 at Royal Brisbane Hospital. A state funeral was held on Saturday 14 January 1967 at St Philip's Anglican Church in Annerley and then the East Chapel of Mount Thompson Crematorium. His ashes are kept in the church's columbarium.