William Colenso
1811–99
English-born New Zealand botanist and missionary. Worked with the London firm of Richard Watts, printer to the Church Missionary Society, 1833. Left to run a printing press for the CMS in Paihia in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, in 1834. Published Christian religious works in the Maori language and official publications in English and Maori. Ordained deacon, 1844, and went with his family to a new mission station in Hawke’s Bay. Had a son by a Maori woman in 1851, and was suspended as deacon and dismissed from the mission, 1852. Elected to the Provincial Council, 1859, and the General Assembly, 1861–6. Published scientific papers and was commissioned by the General Assembly to produce a Maori dictionary, which he worked on until his death. FRS 1886.
Sources
DNZB
Record of the Royal Society of London.
Bibliography
DNZB: A dictionary of New Zealand biography. Edited by G. H. Scholefield. 2 vols. Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Internal Affairs. 1940. The dictionary of New Zealand biography. Edited by W. H. Oliver et al. 5 vols. Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Internal Affairs [and others]. 1990–2000.
Record of the Royal Society of London: The record of the Royal Society of London for the promotion of natural knowledge. 4th edition. London: Royal Society. 1940.
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