Harold Cohen (politician)

Brigadier Harold Edward Cohen CMG, DSO (25 November 1881 – 29 October 1946) was an Australian soldier, lawyer and, like his grandfather Edward Cohen, a Victorian State politician.

Early life
Cohen was the son of Montague and Annie Cohen and born in St Kilda, Melbourne. He married Freda Pirani on 4 December 1907, and they had two sons and two daughters. Cohen studied at Xavier College and Melbourne University. Prior to being a politician, Cohen was a solicitor, soldier and a company director.

Political career
In 1929, Cohen was elected as a Nationalist Party MP for Melbourne South Province in the Victorian Legislative Council. In 1935, he changed to the Victorian Legislative Assembly and was elected to Caulfield and was member for Caulfield until his defeat in 1943. As MP, Cohen was Assistant Treasurer from 1932 until 1935, Minister of Public Instruction and Solicitor-General in 1935.

Scouting
Cohen served as Chief Commissioner of Scouts Victoria from 1919 - 1921.