About Helena Ruth France
Lived 1913 – 1968 (aged 55). Helena Ruth France was a New Zealand librarian, novelist, poet, short story writer and writer.
Helena Ruth France ( Henderson; 12 June 1913 – 19 August 1968) was a New Zealand librarian, poet and novelist.
Early life and education France was born in Leithfield, North Canterbury, New Zealand in 1913, the daughter of Francis and Helena Henderson. Her mother Helena was a writer of unpublished novels and plays as well as published poems and stories in the local Christchurch newspaper. She attended Christchurch Girls' High School. She received a £100 award from the New Zealand Literary Fund for The Race. Ice Cold River is a family story set on a Canterbury farm which is cut off by floods.
A collection of her poems No Traveller Returns: the selected poems of Ruth France was published in 2020.
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Helena Ruth France?
New Zealand librarian, poet, novelist (1913-1968)
When was Helena Ruth France born?
Helena Ruth France was born on 12 June 1913 in Leithfield.
When did Helena Ruth France die?
Helena Ruth France died on 19 August 1968 in Christchurch.
What was Helena Ruth France's occupation?
Helena Ruth France was a librarian, novelist, poet, short story writer and writer.
What nationality was Helena Ruth France?
Helena Ruth France was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Helena Ruth France
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Helena Ruth France. https://biography.guide/helena-ruth-france/
MLA: "Helena Ruth France." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/helena-ruth-france/.
Chicago: "Helena Ruth France." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/helena-ruth-france/.
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