Arthur Henry Adams, although he spent most of his adult life overseas, was an influential figure in the late colonial period of New Zealand literature. He produced a remarkable number of poems, libretti, plays and novels, and is seen as one of the main figures in the cultural movement known as “Maoriland”. He also contributed to the literary world of his time as a journalist and editor.

Adams was born in Lawrence, Otago, in 1873 and was educated at Otago Boys’ High School and at Otago University. He cut short his legal studies when offered a stint as a junior reporter at Wellington’s Evening Pos, where his uncle was editor. He earned his living as a journalist for much of his life, covering the Box

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First published 24 March 2007

Citation: Lawless, Daphne Antonia. "Arthur H. Adams". The Literary Encyclopedia. 24 March 2007.
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=23, accessed 21 November 2009.]