Edwin John "Ted" Hook CBE (3 April 1910 – 2 April 1990) was a senior Australian public servant best known for his time as Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department in the 1960s.

Ted Hook
Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department
In office
3 February 1964 – 2 February 1970
Personal details
Born
Edwin John Hook

(1910-04-03)3 April 1910
Forest Lodge, Sydney, New South Wales
Died2 April 1990(1990-04-02) (aged 79)
Benowa, Queensland
NationalityAustralian
SpouseValerie Norma Fowler Macmillan (m. 1937–1990; his death)
OccupationPublic servant

Life and career

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Ted Hook was born to English-born parents in Forest Lodge, Sydney on 3 April 1910.[1]

In 1951 Hook joined the Attorney-General's Department.[1] He was promoted quickly in the Department, and took a key role in the development and passage of several major pieces of legislation, including the Marriage Act 1961, and major amendments to the Crimes Act 1914.[1] Between February 1964 and February 1970, Hook was Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department.[1]

Hook retired from the Australian Public Service in 1970 after suffering a stress-related illness.[1]

Hook died on 2 April 1990 in Benowa, Queensland.[2]

Awards

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Hook was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for service as Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department in January 1967.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Jennings, Rosemary (2007), Hook, Edwin John (Ted) (1910–1990), National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 28 February 2014
  2. ^ "Obituary: Edwin Hook: Sound lawyer, good officer, reliable friend". The Canberra Times. 5 April 1990. p. 7. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014.
  3. ^ "Search Australian Honours: HOOK, Edwin John", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 16 January 2015
Government offices
Preceded by Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department
1964 – 1970
Succeeded by