At the Circulating Library

Author: John White

Author: John White (1826–1891)

Biography: John White was born on 3 January 1826 in Cockfield, Durham, the son of blacksmith Francis White. As a youth, his family emigrated to New Zealand in 1832 suffering shipwreck along the way. In New Zealand, the young White befriended the Maori and learned their language, history, and customs. He put this knowledge to good use as a civil servant and author, writing several histories of the Maori. His one work of fiction Te Rou (1874) is essentially a history disguised as a novel. He married and had several children. He died suddenly on 13 January 1891 at his son's home in Auckland.

Author Tags:

• Civil Servants
• New Zealand Authors

References: Boase; DNB

Fiction Titles:

1. Te Rou: or, The Maori at Home. A Tale Exhibiting the Social Life, Manners, Habits, and Cusoms of the Maori Race in New Zealand Prior to the Introduction of Civilisation amongst Them.  1 vol.  London: Sampson Low, 1874.