Peter Lineham

Peter James Lineham (born 1 December 1951) is a New Zealand historian specialising in religious history. His early research focused on 18th- and 19th-century British Protestant sects.

Early life and education Lineham was born at Karamea on 1 December 1951, the son of Ethelwyn and Alf Lineham. He was raised in a Brethren family of five boys, initially in Karamea, and then in Christchurch.

Lineham was educated at Burnside High School, and went on to study at the University of Canterbury, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973, and a Master of Arts degree in history with first-class honours two years later. His master's thesis was titled The campaign to abolish imprisonment for debt in England, 1750–1840. He was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship in 1975, and undertook doctoral studies at the University of Sussex, supervised by J. F. C. Harrison.

In 1989, Lineham graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Divinity degree.

Career Lineham's early independent publication, There We Found Brethren (1977), explored the development of Brethren assemblies in New Zealand, marking a foundational contribution to the field.

Lineham has been a regular media commentator on religious matters in New Zealand. He contributed numerous entries to the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography and led its religion and church people working group for over a decade.

Honours and awards In the 2019 New Year Honours, Lineham was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to religious history and the community.

Selected publications Lineham has had numerous works published including the following books: There We Found Brethren: a history of assemblies of brethren in New Zealand Religious history of New Zealand: A bibliography Transplanted Christianity: Documents illustrating aspects of New Zealand Church History Scholarship and Fierce Sincerity (2006} Bible & society: A sesquicentennial history of the Bible Society in New Zealand Where the road runs out: research essays on the ecumenical journey and the Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand (2005) Destiny: the Life and Times of a Self-made Apostle (Penguin, 2013) Agency of Hope: The story of the Auckland City Mission 1920–2020 Weteriana Methodism: Bicentennial Reflections from Aotearoa New Zealand