About William Gillespie
Lived 1893 – 1961 (aged 67). William Gillespie was a New Zealand politician.
William Henry Gillespie (14 August 1893 – 23 April 1961) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. He was a cabinet minister from 1960 to 1961.
Biography
Gillespie was born in 1893. He received his education at Ashley Gorge and Oxford District High School, and left school aged 13 following his father's death.
He represented the Canterbury electorate of Hurunui from 1943 to 1961, when he died, causing the for Hurunui.
From 1958 to 1960 he was Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Lands while National was in opposition. At the formation of the Second National Government he was appointed a member of Cabinet, having been designated as Minister of Agriculture on 12 December 1960. He was chairman of the board of Canterbury Agricultural College from 1951 until 1960.
In 1953, Gillespie was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.
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Important facts
People in William Gillespie's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was William Gillespie?
New Zealand politician (1893–1961)
When was William Gillespie born?
William Gillespie was born on 14 August 1893.
When did William Gillespie die?
William Gillespie died on 23 April 1961.
What was William Gillespie's occupation?
William Gillespie was a politician.
What nationality was William Gillespie?
William Gillespie was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: William Gillespie
· DBpedia: William Gillespie (New Zealand politician)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Gillespie. https://biography.guide/william-gillespie-politician/
MLA: "William Gillespie." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-gillespie-politician/.
Chicago: "William Gillespie." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-gillespie-politician/.
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