Gordon Ogilvie

Gordon Bryant Ogilvie (8 May 1934 – 23 October 2017) was a New Zealand historian and biographer who wrote over 20 books, mainly about the people, places and institutions of the Canterbury region. He played a considerable role in uncovering the exploits of pioneer aviator Richard Pearse and popularising these for the first time through his 1973 work The Riddle of Richard Pearse. His other major biography, Denis Glover : His Life, was the first full account of this significant figure in New Zealand literature.

Life Born in Christchurch, Ogilvie grew up in the Horotane Valley where his father was an orchardist. He was educated at St Andrew's College and Canterbury University College, both in Christchurch, and Victoria University of Wellington, where he received an MA in English. After completing a diploma in post-primary teaching he eventually returned to St Andrew's College as head of English, a position he held for 24 years. He retired from teaching in 1993 to take up writing full-time.

Awards Ogilvie was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2008 New Year Honours for services to historical research. In 2000 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Canterbury for his contribution to the region's literature.