John Curtin: labour movement intellectual, 1906–1917

Abstract

Between 1909 and 1914 John Curtin was a socialist intellectual and labour activist, who formulated and propagated an important theory of anti-militarism. He became leader of the trade union opposition to conscription in 1916, drawing upon this pre-war ideological heritage to campaign against the measure. Biographies of Curtin have tended to focus on how these socialist years shaped his personal development, rather than the impact Curtin himself had on the labour movement at this time. This article considers the young Curtin’s role as a movement intellectual and asserts his position as an active crafter of Labor’s political culture. This article has been peer reviewed.