Series 107 - Notes and extracts on international affairs and Victorian politics

Sir Frederic William Eggleston was born on 17 October 1875 at Brunswick, Melbourne. He began his career as an articled clerk and then barrister. In 1911-20 Eggleston was a municipal councillor in Caulfield; including a year as mayor 1914-15. His political career included winning the seat of St Kilda in the Victorian election of 1920. He was a member of Council of the University of Melbourne from 6 January 1921 to 19 September 1927. In 1933 Eggleston was appointed first chairman of the Commonwealth Grants Commission, a position he held until 1941. In 1941 Eggleston was appointed first Australian minister to China. From 1946 to 1949 Eggleston was employed in a part-time capacity as an official adviser to the Department of External Affairs, and as lecturer to diplomatic cadets. Eggleston served as a member of the Interim Council of the Australian National University 1946-1951 and took a close interest in the planning, educational structure and personnel of the Research Schools of Social Sciences and Pacific Studies. He died on 12 November 1954 at Camberwell, Melbourne.