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 Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900 and spending several impoverished years in England. He

588 words

Citation: Lawless, Daphne Antonia. "Arthur H. Adams". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 24 March 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=23, accessed 02 December 2024.]

23 Arthur H. Adams 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

Save this article

Leave Feedback

The Literary Encyclopedia is a living community of scholars. We welcome comments which will help us improve.