Sinclair, Sir Keith

▪ 1994

      New Zealand historian (b. Dec. 5, 1922, Auckland, N.Z.—d. June 20, 1993, Canada), presented the history of New Zealand from a nationalist rather than a British colonial perspective and helped to promote public awareness of a distinctly New Zealand identity and cultural heritage. His most influential book, A History of New Zealand (1959; revised and expanded, 1980), was widely recognized as the standard popular work on the subject. Of almost equal importance was an earlier work, The Origins of the Maori Wars (1957), in which he sought to place 19th-century New Zealand in its historical context and thereby provided a scholarly basis for the resurgence of Maori nationalist activism in the 1970s and '80s. Sinclair received his B.A. (1945), M.A. (1946), and Ph.D. (1954) from Auckland University College (later renamed the University of Auckland). After serving in the army (1941-44) and navy (1944-46), he returned to his alma mater as a history instructor. He was made a full professor in 1963, and 20 years later he was selected to write the official history of the university. His other scholarly works include A Destiny Apart: New Zealand's Search for National Identity (1986). Sinclair was also an accomplished poet and biographer, and in 1977 he won the National Book Award for his biography of former prime minister Walter Nash. Sinclair was knighted in 1985. His autobiography, Halfway Round the Harbour, was published shortly after his death.

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▪ New Zealander writer

born Dec. 5, 1922, Auckland, N.Z.

died June 20, 1993, Canada

      poet, historian, and educator noted for his histories of New Zealand.

      Sinclair's education at Auckland University College (until 1957 a college of the University of New Zealand; thereafter University of Auckland) was interrupted by army and navy service during World War II. He taught at his alma mater from 1947 to 1987, receiving a Ph.D. in 1954 and becoming professor of history in 1963. He was knighted in 1985.

      His first volume of verse, Songs for a Summer and Other Poems (1952), was followed by Strangers or Beasts: Poems (1954), A Time to Embrace (1963), and The Firewheel Tree (1973). His best-known historical work is The Origins of the Maori Wars (1957). He also wrote A History of New Zealand (1959; rev. and enlarged ed., 1980), The Liberal Government, 1891–1912: First Steps Towards a Welfare State (1967), and A Destiny Apart: New Zealand's Search For National Identity (1986) and participated in many additional book projects. Sinclair's autobiography, Halfway Round the Harbour, was published in 1993, shortly after his death.

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