A list of published memoirs and biographies with significant reference to the University of Otago. Listed alphabetically by author under each category. For more general histories, see the bibliography page of this blog.
This list is in the ‘early development’ stage – suggestions for additions are very welcome!
Administration
Chambers, Ron. Justice and jellybeans: from Ulster policeman to Otago University proctor, ed. Paul Sorrell (Dunedin: Missing Stocks Press, 2006).
Parry, Gordon. My Dunedin (Dunedin: G. Parry, 2006). [Information officer 1970s-80s]
Ross, C.S. Life and times of D.S. Stuart D.D.: a unique colonial pastorate (Dunedin: J. Wilkie & Co., 1894). [Chancellor 1879-1894]
Scott, Sheila. John Bathgate: a sketch of his life and times in Edinburgh, Peebles and Dunedin, 1809-1886 (Peebles: The author, 1977) [member of the Council of the University, 1876-86].
Classics
Adams, L.S. Thomas Dagger Adams, Professor of Classics in the University of Otago (Wellington, [1954]).
Davin, Anna. ‘Flight to the Centre: Winnie Gonley, 1930s Colonial Cosmopolitan’, Journal of World-Systems Research, 6 (2000), 286-306. [English, Classics and languages student of the 1920s and 1930s]
Davin, Anna. ‘Community, Life-cycle, Diaspora: A Daughter’s View’, in Barbara Brookes and Dorothy Page, eds, Communities of Women: Historical Perspectives (Dunedin: Otago University Press, 2002), 13-26. [biographical essay on Winnie Gonley, English, Classics and languages student of the 1920s and 1930s]
Ovenden, Keith. A Fighting Withdrawal: the Life of Dan Davin, Writer, Soldier, Publisher (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996. [English and Classics student of the 1930s]
Dentistry
Brown, Harvey. Pickerill: pioneer in plastic surgery, dental education, and dental research (Dunedin: Otago University Press, 2007).
Economics
Chappell, A.B. An appreciation of the late H.D. Bedford, M.A., L.L.D., professor of economics (Wellington: Wright & Carman, [1940s]).
Littlewood, Matthew. ‘The Curious Case of Professor Pringle’, in Tower Turmoil: Characters & Controversies at the University of Otago (Dunedin: Department of History, University of Otago, 2005), 51-63 [William Henderson Pringle, Professor of Economics].
English
Davin, Anna. ‘Flight to the Centre: Winnie Gonley, 1930s Colonial Cosmopolitan’, Journal of World-Systems Research, 6 (2000), 286-306. [English, Classics and languages student of the 1920s and 1930s]
Davin, Anna. ‘Community, Life-cycle, Diaspora: A Daughter’s View’, in Barbara Brookes and Dorothy Page, eds, Communities of Women: Historical Perspectives (Dunedin: Otago University Press, 2002), 13-26. [biographical essay on Winnie Gonley, English, Classics and languages student of the 1920s and 1930s]
Ovenden, Keith. A Fighting Withdrawal: the Life of Dan Davin, Writer, Soldier, Publisher (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996. [English and Classics student of the 1930s]
Education
White, Ida G. Ninety years: David Renfrew Wright 1847-1937 ([Dunedin], [1975]) [Professor of Education 1909-1912].
History
Morrell, William Parker. Memoirs (Dunedin: McIndoe, 1979).
Omer-Cooper, John D. Tales from the life of a peripatetic historian: extracts from a valedictory lecture, Wednesday 16 October 1996, St Margaret’s College, University of Otago, Leith Street, Dunedin, New Zealand ([Dunedin]: [Department of History, University of Otago], [1997]).
Home science
Thomson, Helen M.S.; Thomson, Sylvia. Ann Gilchrist Strong: scientist in the home (Christchurch: Pegasus, 1963). [Professor of Home Science].
Languages
Grayeff, Felix. Migrant scholar: an autobiography (Freiburg: Universitatsbibliothek, 1986). [Lecturer in German, 1939-1952]
Libraries
Robertson, Dave. ‘John Harris, Librarian and Alien Anarchist’, in Tower Turmoil: Characters & Controversies at the University of Otago (Dunedin: Department of History, University of Otago, 2005), 65-79.
Wilson, Ormond. John Harris: A Memoir (Christchurch: Christ’s College, 1987).
Medicine
Bell, Francis Gordon. Surgeon’s saga (Wellington: Road, [1968]) [Professor of Surgery].
Benson, William Noel. ‘William Blaxland Benham, 1860-1950’, Obituary notices of fellows of the Royal Society, vol.7 [c. 1950].
Chapman, Lloyd. In a strange garden: the life and times of Truby King (Auckland: Penguin, 2003). [lecturer on mental diseases, 1889]
Copies of testimonials in support of the candidature of Millen Coughtrey, M.B., C.M., Edinburgh University, for the chair of anatomy & physiology in the University of Otago (Dunedin: printed at the Evening Star office, 1874). [Copy in Hocken Library: Chapman pamphlets]
Easthope, Ron. William Ledingham Christie : a remarkable New Zealand doctor (Wellington: R Easthope, 2014). [Copies in the Hocken and Dunedin Medical libraries. Biography of Otago’s first medical graduate]
King, Mary. Truby King the man (London: Allen & Unwin, [1948]). [lecturer on mental diseases, 1889]
Miller, David. ‘Sir William Blaxland Benham’ Royal Society of New Zealand Transactions 80:1 (1952).
[Scott, John Hannay.] Without parade or fuss: a biographical memoir of John Halliday Scott, M.D. (Christchurch: Admin Services, 1996) [1851-1914, first dean of the Medical School]
Pharmacy & pharmacology
Fastier, F.N., Recollections of an old scarfie (Dunedin: Amidine Publications, 2004).
Science
Dawson, Elliot W. F.W. Hutton (1846-1905), pioneer New Zealand naturalist: a bibliography & taxonomic analysis (Occasional Papers of the Hutton Foundation, 5) (Eastbourne: Hutton Foundation at the Wallypug Press, 1994).
Testimonials in favour of James Gow Black, M.A., D.Sc.: candidate for the professorship of natural science in the University of Otago ([Edinburgh?], [c.1870]). [A copy is in the Hocken Library: Chapman pamphlets]
Surveying
Mackie, J.B., Captain Jack, surveyor and engineer : the autobiography of John Mackie (Wellington: NZ Institute of Surveyors, 2007).
A salute to the captain: celebrating the 100th birthday of Emeritus Professor J.B. Mackie Dunedin: Development & Alumni Relations Office, University of Otago, 2010).
Theology & religion
Moore, Albert, More than you know: An autobiography (Dunedin: J. Moore & R. Ovens, 2011).
University of Otago 1869-2019 