James Francis Courage

James Francis Courage (9 February 1903 – 5 October 1963) was a New Zealand novelist, short-story writer, poet and bookseller. He was born in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand on 9 February 1903. Early life and education Courage was born to Frank Hubert Courage and Zoë Frances Peache. He grew up near Amberley, New Zealand on a farm. He briefly worked as a journalist, served as a fire warden during World War II, and worked in a bookshop between 1940 and 1950. He was made the store manager in 1946.

Courage was a prominent writer. His rural New Zealand upbringing served as a setting for five of his eight novels. He was also the inspiration for PEN's 'Courage Day' which raised awareness of the persecution of writers.

Works Novels One House (1933) He wrote about his relationships as well as his experiences during the World War II bombings of London. In discussing his motivations, Courage told his diary: "Why do I go on writing? One reason is that I believe I’ve written about people in Canterbury as it has never been done before – just as Turgenev wrote about certain people in Russian provincial society as it had not been done before."

Courage lived in England for most of his life, though had a 17-month stint in New Zealand following a tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment in Norfolk from 1931 to 1933. He was also known to have depression, and received treatment at various points in his life.

Courage was gay, and recorded his relationships with various men in his diaries. He noted one particular relationship with a man named Frank, whom he briefly lived with in Argentina. He also maintained friendships with other prominent New Zealand writers such as Frank Sargeson and D'Arcy Cresswell.

Courage died in Hampstead on 5 October 1963. He requested to have his ashes scattered on the Waipara River in New Zealand, near where he grew up.