He was born in
Inglewood in 1891 to Irish parents Samuel John Sullivan and Sarah Maria (née Acton). Sullivan received his education in Inglewood and
Stratford. He was a Taranaki rugby representative and maintained an interest in the sport all his life.
Member of Parliament Sullivan was one of three candidates in the in the electorate. He was a member of the
United Party, but
Charles Macmillan was the official candidate of the
United–Reform Coalition, hence Sullivan stood as an Independent. He was defeated by Macmillan. Sullivan represented the electorate from a after the death of
Gordon Hultquist to 13 February 1957, when he resigned following the death of his son who ran the family construction business. He was the
Minister of Labour,
Immigration,
Mines,
Housing and the State Advances Corporation in the
First National Government from 1949 to 1957. He was one of the "big four" (alongside
Sidney Holland,
Keith Holyoake and
Clifton Webb) in cabinet and was allocated some of the most demanding portfolios. Consequently, he had a large amount of influence over the governments policy and direction. After leaving parliament he returned to running the timber and hardware business he founded forty years earlier. He died in
Whakatane on 17 March 1967. He had been ill for several months and was survived by a son and three daughters. ==Personal life==