Theodore Grant Gray

Theodore Grant Gray (31 January 1884 – 8 September 1964) was a New Zealand psychiatrist and mental health administrator.

Early life and education Gray was born in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on 31 January 1884. He attended the University of Aberdeen graduating with his medical degree in 1906.

Career Gray worked in general practice and at the Kingseat Asylum in Newmachar, later naming Kingseat Hospital in Auckland after the Scottish asylum.

After the war, he became medical superintendent of the Nelson Mental Hospital from 1921 to 1925 when he became acting medical superintendent of the Auckland Mental Hospital. In his opinion, there was no known cure for the mentally ill apart from "fresh air, sunshine, suitable diet, recreation, rest and sleep". He favoured the villa system of design of mental hospitals even though that system was already in use in New Zealand from the early 20th century. As such, he recommended the construction of small, detached blocks to accommodate patients. During his tenure, conditions in mental hospitals deteriorated to the point where a review was carried out in 1946; as a result, Gray resigned and left his position in 1947. He served in a number of organisations. He was president of the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association in 1947 (the first salaried officer and first psychiatrist to hold the role), the Parole Board, Nurses and Midwives Registration Board and the Medical Council.

Gray published his autobiography, The Very Error of the Moon, in 1959.

Personal life Gray married Catherine Amelia Sutherland in 1914, and they had three daughters and three sons.

Gray died in Wellington on 8 September 1964.