Alan K. Grant
Encyclopedia
Alan Keith Grant generally known by his initials as A.K. Grant, was a New Zealand
writer, historian, critic and humorist.
Grant was born in Wanganui, and in 1964 he received his LL.B from the University of Canterbury
and moved to London
for a few years. On his return to New Zealand in 1976, he began writing, and released his monumental history of New Zealand letters, The Paua and the Glory , in 1982. At the same time he wrote a regular column for the New Zealand Listener
.
He also wrote for television, particularly in partnership with David McPhail
and Jon Gadsby
. Credits include A Week of It, McPhail and Gadsby and Letters to Blanchy.
The A. K. Grant Memorial Trophy was established in October 2000 and is awarded to the best speaker in celebrity debates held alternately at the Christchurch and Otago Arts Festivals.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
writer, historian, critic and humorist.
Grant was born in Wanganui, and in 1964 he received his LL.B from the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
and moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
for a few years. On his return to New Zealand in 1976, he began writing, and released his monumental history of New Zealand letters, The Paua and the Glory , in 1982. At the same time he wrote a regular column for the New Zealand Listener
New Zealand Listener
The New Zealand Listener is a New Zealand magazine. First published in 1939 and edited by Oliver Duff and the Monte Holcroft it originally had a monopoly on the publication of of upcoming television and radio programmes. In the 1980s it lost its monopoly on the publication of upcoming television...
.
He also wrote for television, particularly in partnership with David McPhail
David McPhail
David Alexander McPhail, ONZM, QSM is a New Zealand comedic actor and writer. He is most famous for the political satire show McPhail and Gadsby in which he co-starred with Jon Gadsby....
and Jon Gadsby
Jon Gadsby
Jon Gadsby QSO is a New Zealand television comedian and writer, most well known for his role in the comedy series McPhail and Gadsby co-starring alongside David McPhail.-Biography:...
. Credits include A Week of It, McPhail and Gadsby and Letters to Blanchy.
The A. K. Grant Memorial Trophy was established in October 2000 and is awarded to the best speaker in celebrity debates held alternately at the Christchurch and Otago Arts Festivals.