Gordon Ogilvie
Encyclopedia
Gordon Ogilvie, ONZM
, (8 May 1934- ) is a New Zealand
historian and biographer who has written over 20 books, mainly about the people, places and institutions of the Canterbury region. He played a considerable role in uncovering the exploits of pioneer aviator Richard Pearse
and popularising these through his 1973 work The Riddle of Richard Pearse. His other major biography, Denis Glover
: His Life (1999), is the first full account of this significant figure in New Zealand literature.
Born in Christchurch, Ogilvie grew up at Horotane Valley where his father was an orchardist. He was educated at St Andrew's College, Canterbury University and Victoria University
. After completing a diploma in post-primary teaching he eventually returned to St Andrew's College as head of English, a position he held for 24 years. He retired from teaching in 1993 to take up writing full-time. His wife Elisabeth is the author of another Canterbury regional history, Purau (1970).
His output includes three biographies, a range of regional, church, club, school, family and business histories, contributions to the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
and Historic Buildings of New Zealand : South Island (1983), innumerable feature articles and reviews as well as two guide books. The Port Hills of Christchurch (1978) and Banks Peninsula: Cradle of Canterbury (1990) both won the J. M. Sherrard Award for New Zealand Regional History and have been republished in revised editions. The Riddle of Richard Pearse (1973) and Denis Glover : His Life (1999) were New Zealand Book of the Year finalists.
in 2007 for his service to historical research and writing. In 2000 he was awarded a Doctor of Letters
by Canterbury University for his contribution to the region's literature. He received an Arts Excellence Award from the Canterbury Community Trust in 1998.
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
, (8 May 1934- ) is a New Zealand
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...
historian and biographer who has written over 20 books, mainly about the people, places and institutions of the Canterbury region. He played a considerable role in uncovering the exploits of pioneer aviator Richard Pearse
Richard Pearse
Richard William Pearse , son of Cornish immigrants from St Columb near Newquay, a New Zealand farmer and inventor who performed pioneering experiments in aviation....
and popularising these through his 1973 work The Riddle of Richard Pearse. His other major biography, Denis Glover
Denis Glover
Lieutenant Commander Denis James Matthews Glover DSC was a New Zealand poet and publisher.Well-known for radical leftist opinions, he was often in trouble with authorities. In 1935 he founded the Caxton Press, which he used to encourage a less sentimental style of poetry in New Zealand than was...
: His Life (1999), is the first full account of this significant figure in New Zealand literature.
Born in Christchurch, Ogilvie grew up at Horotane Valley where his father was an orchardist. He was educated at St Andrew's College, Canterbury University and Victoria University
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
. After completing a diploma in post-primary teaching he eventually returned to St Andrew's College as head of English, a position he held for 24 years. He retired from teaching in 1993 to take up writing full-time. His wife Elisabeth is the author of another Canterbury regional history, Purau (1970).
His output includes three biographies, a range of regional, church, club, school, family and business histories, contributions to the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography contains biographies for over 3,000 New Zealanders. It is available in both English and Maori. All volumes of the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography are available online....
and Historic Buildings of New Zealand : South Island (1983), innumerable feature articles and reviews as well as two guide books. The Port Hills of Christchurch (1978) and Banks Peninsula: Cradle of Canterbury (1990) both won the J. M. Sherrard Award for New Zealand Regional History and have been republished in revised editions. The Riddle of Richard Pearse (1973) and Denis Glover : His Life (1999) were New Zealand Book of the Year finalists.
Awards
Gordon Ogilvie was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of MeritNew Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
in 2007 for his service to historical research and writing. In 2000 he was awarded a Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
by Canterbury University for his contribution to the region's literature. He received an Arts Excellence Award from the Canterbury Community Trust in 1998.