Herbert Vere "Doc" Evatt is perhaps one of the most accomplished individuals the Australian Commonwealth ever had the pleasure to house within her borders.

Evatt was born in New South Whales, and was brought up in Sydney. Even at an early age he achieved excellent performance in academia, and enrolled in Sydney University. He graduated with a master of arts, and then a bachelor of Laws with first-class honours.

Leading on from his graduation, Evatt worked as a lawyer and eventually became a high court justice. It's fascinating to know that at the time of working as a lawyer, Evatt had clashed with Robert Menzies, in a case and lost.

The rivalry between the Melbourne university and Sydney University law graduates would continue on into federal politics.

Evatt resigned from the high court to pursue politics, and would be elected an MP. After the second world war, Evatt would play a leading role in founding the United Nations, and was President of the United Nations General Assembly from 1948-49.

He had been instrumental in the creation of Israel as chair of the "Ad Hoc Committee on the Palestinian Question"

He had also helped in writing the united nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

June 20, 2025