Steven Kirk
Sir Steven Kirk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Prime Minister of Patagonia | |
| In office 20 November 1931 – 4 July 1945 | |
| Monarch | George V George VI |
| Governor-General | Sir James O'Grady Sir Herbert Henniker-Heaton Sir Allan Wolsey Cardinall |
| Preceded by | Henry Martin |
| Succeeded by | Christopher Tennant |
| Leader of the Patagonian National Party | |
| In office 24 March 1931 – 4 July 1945 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Christopher Tennant |
| Member of Parliament for South West Limay | |
| In office 13 March 1924 – 21 January 1946 | |
| Preceded by | Lawrence Peacock |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 October 1887 Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, United Kingdom |
| Died | 23 April 1969 (aged 81) Barrylochy, Limay, Patagonia |
| Nationality | Patagonian |
| Political party | Patagonian National Party (from 1931) |
| Other political affiliations | Conservative (1906–28) Independent (1928–31) |
| Spouse(s) | Eliza Mulhern (1909–1911) Edith Kirk (1920—1969) |
| Children | James · John (adopted) · Olivia |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1918 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
Sir Steven Charles Kirk, PK, KCMG (26 October 1887 – 23 April 1969) was a Patagonian politician, army officer, and writer. He served as the 13th Prime Minister of Patgaonia from 1931 until 1945, winning a record four general elections, and leading the country through two of the major events of its history and of 20th century history: the Great Depression and World War II. Ideologically a Christian democrat, Kirk and the Patagonian National Party he founded dominated and realigned politics in the country. He is generally rated by scholars and the public alike as one of the greatest Patagonian prime ministers.
The first half of Kirk's premiership focused on domestic issues, most notably the fallout of the Great Depression. He famously remarked that he would "bend the power of the state to the will of the people" and oversaw significant state intervention in the economy and expansion of social welfare. A committed social and political reformer, Kirk extended the right to vote to the Indigenous Peoples of Patagonia, established the Indigenous Peoples' Assembly, began the quasi-federalisation of Patagonia by devolving powers to provincial assemblies, and enacted constitutional reforms which replaced the appointed upper house of the Patagonian Parliament, the Legislative Council, with a Senate elected by proportional representation, and equalised electorate sizes for the House of Assembly.
Despite dwindling support after nearly a decade in power, Kirk won re-election in landslides following the outbreak of World War Two; which his third and fourth terms went on to be dominated by. He was one of only a handful of WW2 leaders who had served on the front-line in World War One and, despite his experience during the latter seeing him develop a "disdain for war", he nevertheless overcame his reluctance and led Patagonia into war. His speech in the House of Assembly, often called the "We Will Meet Them" speech, is considered one of his greatest speeches and a foremost example of his gift of oration. Kirk substantially built up the Patagonian Armed Forces, especially the Royal Patagonian Navy, which went on to serve pivotal roles in the Pacific War and Battle of the Atlantic. By the end of the war, his popularity as a leader has recovered and he was hailed a hero by supporters. Kirk retired from all politics in 1945 and would go on to refuse all offers to return, including turning down an offer to be appointed Governor-General of Patagonia in 1955.
In his later life, Kirk became a prolific writer. In 1947, he released the highly controversial Each Face, a seminal treatise on Patagonian history and one of the first major publications to consider as genocide the treatment of Patagonia's Indigenous Peoples by European settlers. The book was also highly critical of Hispanic settlement of the Americas, which led to international outcry throughout South America; though Kirk refused to apologise for his remarks. Kirk's popularity recovered with his two autobiographies: 5,000 Days (1952), regarding his tenure as prime minister, particularly during the Second World War, and the critically acclaimed Lost Years (1955), detailing his service in the British Army during the First World War. With the latter, Kirk became one of the first modern world leaders to openly and frankly discuss mental health and "shell shock", today termed post-traumatic stress disorder.
Widely considered one of the 20th century's most overlooked figures, especially in relation to the Second World War, Kirk nevertheless remains popular in Patagonia, where he is seen as a "man of the people" and victorious wartime leader. Praised as a social reformer and accomplished writer, his works, particularly Lost Years, now form part of the school curriculum in Patagonia. Conversely, his imperialist views and comments on race and religion, as well as public suppression of his mental health issues, have generated considerable controversy.