William Bodkin

Sir William Alexander Bodkin (28 April 1883 – 15 June 1964) was a New Zealand politician of the United Party, and from 1936, the National Party.

Biography Early life Bodkin was born in Queenstown in 1883. In 1889 his father moved to Clyde in a farm named "Monte Cristo" next to the Clutha River. The farm had the first irrigation scheme in Central Otago built by Jean Desire Feraud. After attending Clyde School to the sixth standard, Bodkin worked on his father's farm where he saved his salary to study law. Aged 18 he entered Wilson's Grammar School, Christchurch where he passed his university entrance examination. He then attended University of Otago and in 1908 he qualified as a solicitor. The next year he was admitted as a barrister and began practice at Alexandra, specialising in mining law.

On 1 September 1920 Bodkin married schoolteacher Elizabeth Lillias McCorkindale at Manuka Creek, South Otago. They had one daughter.

Honours In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal, and in 1953 he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1954.

In 1955, Bodkin was granted the use of the title of "Honourable" for life, having served more than three years as a member of the Executive Council.