<Tr> <Th> Education </Th> <Td> St Mary's College, Toowoomba </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> Schoolteacher Telegraphist Politician </Td> </Tr> <P> Francis Michael Forde (18 July 1890--28 January 1983) was an Australian politician who served as Prime Minister of Australia from 6 to 13 July 1945 . He held office after the death of John Curtin, and is the shortest - serving prime minister in Australia's history . </P> <P> Forde was born in Mitchell, Queensland, to Irish immigrant parents . He was a schoolteacher and telegraphist before entering politics, and eventually settled in Rockhampton . Having joined the Labor Party at a young age, Forde was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1917, aged 26 . He transferred to the House of Representatives at the 1922 federal election, winning the Division of Capricornia . Forde entered cabinet in 1931, serving as Minister for Trade and Customs for what would be the final year of the Scullin Government . </P>

Who was australia's shortest serving prime minister