Stanley Melbourne Bruce, 1st Viscount Bruce of Melbourne (1883-1967), was an Australian statesman, diplomat, and international administrator. He believed in close ties with the British Empire without diminishing Australia's self-government.

Stanley Bruce was born in Melbourne on April 15, 1883, the son of a successful merchant. He was educated in Melbourne and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he graduated in law, and from 1906 practiced in London at Middle Temple. Bruce enlisted in 1914 and served in a British regiment; he was twice wounded before his discharge in 1917.

Returning to Melbourne to direct the family business, Bruce was elected as a Nationalist party candidate to the House of Representatives in 1918. He was on a private visit to Europe when asked to represent Australia at the League of Nations Assembly meeting in 1921. On his return to Australia he became treasurer under Premier William Morris Hughes.

Leader of the Government

After the general election of...