The American science fiction writer Harry Harrison has died aged 87. A prolific writer, he began his literary career writing for American comics and Science Fiction Magazines. His first novel Deathworld was published in 1960, 58 novels were to follow, also 9 collections of short stories, plus novellas, and non-fiction works. He edited numerous Science Fiction anthologies, many with fellow writer Brian Aldiss. His most well know novels were, The Stainless Steel Rat, Bill, the Galactic Hero and Deathworld, all series. All these novels are satirical and witty. Harry Harrison, was a dedicated advocate for the international language Esperanto, and includes some in his early novels. His last novel titled, The Stainless Steel Rat Returns was published in 2010.
Tag: obituaries
Gore Vidal, 1925-2012
Gore Vidal, the American writer has died aged 86 years. A prolific writer, social and political commentator, he published his first novel titled Williwaw in 1946. Twenty-four novels followed, these included a series of American historical fiction. He was also an accomplished journalist, screenwriter and playwright, but was best known for his numerous essays. His last published fiction was a collection of short stories titled Clouds and Eclipses; this was a republication of a 1956 collection titled A Thirsty Evil, with one new story added.
Gordon Crook 1921 – 2011
Gordon Crook was born in England, and taught textile design at London’s Central School of Art. He came to New Zealand in 1972, where his art flourished. In 1979 he was commisioned to create 20 enormous banners for the New Zealand embassy in Washington, and a few years later made the banners that still hang in the entrance of the Michael Fowler Centre. In the decades that followed, his art – textiles, prints, paintings and collages – was exhibited throughout the country. Te Papa, who own some of his works, has a more detailed biography online here.
We hold a number of items that relate to Gordon Crook:
Gordon Crook : A Life of Art, is a a documentary from 2011 that looks at his life and his art. I personally recommend it.
Gordon Crook [Kaleidoscope]; this is a recording on VHS of the 1987 Kaleid0scope episode about his life, art, and philosophy.
Catelogue of an Exhibition of Tapestries and Drawings Based on the Theme of Adam and Eve (1978). Reference copy only.
Gordon Crook, by the Brooker Gallery. This was published in 1993, and is only 62 pages long, but is a very good collection of biographical articles and reproductions of Crook’s work.
Gordon Crook passed away on the 26th of August. In addition to being one of Wellington’s best artists, he was also a regular library user. He came in daily and was a friend to many library staff members; he will be sorely missed.
Tribute for Jacquie Baxter/ J. C. Sturm 1927 – 2009
Jacquie Baxter, also known as J.C. Sturm, was a poet and short story writer as well as a former staff member of Wellington City Libraries. Sadly, she passed away in December last year.
In memory of her enormous skill as a writer, her dedication to library service, and the lasting impression she left as a friend and colleague, we have set up a display in memory of her on the ground floor of the Central Library.
The display contains a tribute book and we encourage those who knew Jacquie, were touched by her work, or simply want to convey their condolences to her friends and family, to write a message in it.
If you cannot make it into the library to write in the book then you are most welcome to write a message as a comment on this blog post and library staff will make sure it is transcribed into the memorial book on your behalf.
You can read more about Jacquie’s life and achievements in our obituary for her or at the website of the New Zealand Book Council here .
Jacqueline (Jacquie) Baxter (J.C. Sturm)
He maimai aroha : a lament for Jacquie Baxter
We were saddened to hear of the recent death of our colleague, and rangatira.
Although Jacquie was a groundbreaking Māori academic student, and the first Māori woman to attain a Master’s degree from the University of New Zealand (at Victoria University) and her poetry also won national and international acclaim, yet library users will remember her as the librarian who managed the NZ collection at Wellington City Libraries for well over twenty years until 1992. We remember her quiet advocacy for Māori customers, extensive knowledge of NZ published works, and passion for excellence in librarianship.
Read more information :
Oxford companion to New Zealand literature article
Pioneering Maori writer, by Jeffrey Paparoa Holman (Use your library card to log in)
Kapiti Independent News article
Auckland University – New Zealand Literature file – J C Sturm
New Zealand national character as exemplified by three New Zealand novelists : thesis presented in partial requirement for the degree of M.A., University of New Zealand, by Jacqueline Cecilia Baxter. (1952)
Miep Gies dies
Miep Gies, who helped Anne Frank hide, died January 11 at the age of 100. She was the last survivor of a small group of people who helped the Jewish family hide from the Nazis during World War II. It was Miep who found Anne’s diary after the family’s hiding place was discovered and they were deported to concentration camps. She never read the diary and kept it for safe keeping and handed it to Anne’s father Otto after the war.
Ada Nally, WCL’s Multicultural Customer Specialist said on hearing of Gies’ death
I will never forget my school trip as a ten year old to the secret annex. Anne’s description of her hiding place came alive as we passed the bookcase which hid the staircase leading to Anne’s living areas. The pictures of famous Hollywood movie stars at that time are still on her bedroom wall. I have read Anne’s diary several times and still prefer to read it in Dutch.
Did you know that the most popular tourist attraction in Amsterdam is not the museum, the canals or dare I say the red light district? It is the Anne Frank museum.
The Anne Frank exhibition will tour New Zealand this year, starting at Te Papa in February. For more details: www.annefrankexhibition.co.nz
Anne Frank’s story to the world is a warning of the dangers of anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination, and is an assertion of the values of freedom, equal rights and democracy. Wellington City Libraries holds several copies of the diary and other books about Anne Frank, including Anne Frank Remembered by Miep Gies – click on the links to the left for details.
March 21 is Race Relations Day and Wellington City Libraries will host a festival of cultures at Johnsonville library, book displays and continue with Earth People at several libraries. For more information visit our Earth people blog in February and March. The theme this year is: “It’s About Us: Whanau”.