The Rt Hon Sir Eric John Harrison was born in Birmingham, England and educated at Crown Street School in Sydney. During World War I, he served with the Australian Imperial Force (1916-19) and was a member of the AIF rowing team that won the King's Cup at Henley.

First elected to the House of Representatives at the 1931 general election, as the Member for Wentworth (NSW), Harrison held this seat for the United Australia Party (from 1944, the Liberal Party) until his retirement from politics in October 1956. His first portfolio was as Minister for the Interior (1934) and he was later Minister without portfolio administering external territories (1938-39) in the Lyons Government. But it was as a loyal supporter of R G Menzies that Harrison became more prominent. Earning a reputation as a tough and knowledgeable Parliamentarian, he was a strong opponent of Communism, advocating a purge of the public service in 1947 and actively participated in debate on the Petrov affair. He held various portfolios in successive Menzies Governments, including Postmaster-General and Repatriation (1939-40), Trade and Customs (1940-41), Post War Reconstruction and Defence (1949-50), Interior (1950-51), Defence Production (1951-56), Navy and Army (1955-56). He served in the Economic Cabinet (1939-41), and on Parliamentary Committees relating to Public Works (1937 and 1943-46), Manpower and Resources Survey (1941-42), Repatriation Act (1942) and Privileges (1944-51). 

Harrison became Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in 1944 and retained the position until he stepped down in September 1956. He was also Australian Resident Minister in London (1950-51), Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council (1951-56), Minister in Charge of the Royal Visit (1954) and Australian High Commissioner in London (1956-64). Sir Eric was made a Privy Councillor in 1952, and knighted (KCVO) in 1954 (KCMG, 1962). He retired in 1964 and died ten years later. 

Person registration revised as part of the Prime Ministers Papers' Project (May 2002).

Sources:
Commonwealth Parliamentary Handbook, 12th ed (1951-1956)
Martin, A W, Robert Menzies: a life. Vol 2, 1944-1978 (Melbourne University Press, 1999)
Who's Who in Australia, 21st ed (1974)