Douglas Cresswell

Douglas David Robert Cresswell (25 July 1894 – 29 November 1960) was a New Zealand writer, historian, and broadcaster.

Born in Christchurch in 1894, Cresswell was the son of Hannah (née Reese) and Walter Joseph Cresswell, a solicitor. His younger brother, Walter D'Arcy Cresswell, also known as an author in later life, was born in 1896. and he wrote many books, particularly about 19th century European settlement in New Zealand.

Cresswell was the Christchurch secretary of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), formed by John A. Lee following (Lee's) expulsion from the Labour Party. At the 1943 general election, Cresswell was the DLP's candidate in the Timaru electorate,

In later life he lived in Governors Bay where a road - Cresswell Avenue - is named after him. He died at Governors Bay in 1960, and Fanny died in 1986. Both Cresswells were buried at St Cuthbert's churchyard, Governors Bay.

Publications Works by Cresswell include: Ormond of Hawkes Bay (1947) Early New Zealand Families (1949) Eight Christchurch Schools, with illustrations by Fanny Buss (1948) Tales of the Canterbury High Country (1950) The Story of Cheviot (1951) Canterbury Tales (1951) Squatter and Settler in the Waipara County (1952) Early New Zealand Families: Second Series (1956) The Case For the South Island (1957)