William Deane

The Honourable Sir William Deane AC KBE KC
Deane c. 2000
22nd Governor-General of Australia
In office 16 February 1996[1] – 29 June 2001
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Paul Keating John Howard
Preceded by	Bill Hayden
Succeeded by	Peter Hollingworth
Justice of the High Court of Australia
In office 25 June 1982 – 11 November 1995
Nominated by	Malcolm Fraser
Preceded by	Ninian Stephen
Succeeded by	Michael Kirby
Personal details
Born	William Patrick Deane (1931-01-04) 4 January 1931 (age 93) St Kilda, Victoria, Australia
Spouse	Helen Russell
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Sydney
Profession	Barrister, jurist

Sir William Patrick Deane, AC, KBE, KC (born 4 January 1931) is an Australian barrister and jurist who served as the 22nd governor-general of Australia, in office from 1996 to 2001. He was previously a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1982 to 1995.

Deane received his undergraduate education at the University of Sydney, and later studied international law at The Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands. Prior to joining the judiciary, Deane worked for periods as a barrister and university lecturer. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1977, and later that year was also appointed to the Federal Court of Australia. Deane was elevated to the High Court in 1982, and during his tenure was generally considered to fall on the court's progressive side. He retired from the court in 1995, and the following year was appointed governor-general on the recommendation of Paul Keating. Deane had a low profile during his five-year term, facing no major constitutional issues, but did come to international notice by officially opening the 2000 Summer Olympics.