William Deane - Early Life

Early Life

William Deane was born in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria. He was educated at Catholic schools including St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill and at the University of Sydney, where he graduated in arts and law. He also attended the Hague Academy of International Law. After graduation he worked in the federal Attorney-General's Department in Canberra and at the law firm Minter Simpson that became Minter Ellison. He also travelled to Europe to study international law. He was called to the Sydney Bar in 1957 and also lectured in law at university.

During this time Deane was active in the Catholic community and was interested in politics. In 1955 he was briefly a member of the Democratic Labor Party, a predominantly Catholic and anti-Communist breakaway from the Australian Labor Party. He soon became disillusioned with the party and played no further part in active politics, but he was strongly influenced by progressive Catholic doctrines of social justice and opposition to racial discrimination.

Read more about this topic:  William Deane

Famous quotes containing the words early and/or life:

    Mormon colonization south of this point in early times was characterized as “going over the Rim,” and in colloquial usage the same phrase came to connote violent death.
    State of Utah, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)

    A little credulity helps one on through life very smoothly.
    Elizabeth Gaskell (1810–1865)