Harold Holt began the law course at the University of Melbourne in 1927. He excelled in both the academic and sporting life of the university and was president of the Law Students’ Society.
Practising as a solicitor in Melbourne, Holt was drawn to politics in the early 1930s and joined the Prahran branch of the United Australia Party. He gained preselection as the UAP candidate for Fawkner in 1935 and was elected to the House of Representatives, becoming, at age 27, one of Australia’s youngest ever MPs.
After the death of Joseph Lyons in 1939, Holt’s mentor, Robert Menzies, became Prime Minister. Holt earned promotion and was appointed Minister without Portfolio, assisting the Minister for Supply and Development. He was thirty years old, the youngest federal minister down to that time. Later that same year he became Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research and Acting Minister for Air and Civil Aviation.
When Menzies again won government in 1949, Holt became Minister for Labour and National Service. By 1958 he was Treasurer and deputy leader of the Liberal Party. When Menzies retired as Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister in 1966, Holt was unopposed within the Liberal Party as his successor.
Seen as more modern than the traditionalist Menzies, Holt modified the White Australia policy to allow more non-European immigration and strengthened ties with Asia. He enthusiastically supported Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War and the policies of US President Lyndon Johnson.
His term as PM ended dramatically in December 1967 when he disappeared while swimming at Cheviot Beach near Portsea in Victoria and was presumed drowned.
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