William Pember Reeves

James Smithies (University of Canterbury)

Ed. by Jennifer Lawn, Massey University
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 9.1.2: New Zealand Writing and Culture.
Vol. editors: Doreen D'Cruz (Massey University), Jennifer Lawn (Massey University), John C. Ross (Massey University), Mark Williams (Victoria University of Wellington)

Dates

Born 10 Feb 1857
Died 15 May 1932
Activity 1880-1925

Places

Born in New Zealand
Active in New Zealand

Activities

Primary

Historian / Chronicler
Poet
Politician

Resources

Reeves' Works

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William Pember Reeves (1857-1932) was an important figure in late nineteenth-century New Zealand, both for his skills as an author and in his primary occupation as a politician. One of the first New Zealand writers to actually have been born in the colony, Reeves joined the ranks of a group of “native born” artists and writers who attempted to create a local culture that was both an extension of, but also distinct from, England. In later years he returned to England and became involved in the Fabian society, pressing for gradual increases in socialist reform.

Reeves was born to William Reeves and Ellen Pember at the port of Lyttelton, Christchurch, in 1857, only three weeks after his parents arrived in the colony. After being educated at Christ's College (the local Canterbury school

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947 words

Citation: Smithies, James. "William Pember Reeves". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 03 April 2006 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=3736, accessed 22 November 2024.]