Geoffrey Thomas Alley
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey Thomas "Geoff" Alley (4 February 1903 – 25 September 1986) was a New Zealand
All Black
rugby player, No 327. He was a lock. He played in 3 tests and 16 other matches for the All Blacks, including tours of Australia in 1926 and South Africa in 1928. He played for Southland and Canterbury provinces. He wrote a book on the British rugby team's tour of New Zealand in 1930.
He later worked as a travelling WEA (Workers' Educational Association
) tutor sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation
, before becoming head of the new Country Library Service in 1937, director of the National Library Service in 1945, and New Zealand's first National Librarian at the National Library of New Zealand
in 1964.
He was born in Amberley
in North Canterbury, and educated at Christchurch Boys' High School
. His parents' keen interest in social reform and education influenced their children, who included Rewi Alley
the activist and educator who went to China.
Geoff married Eupham Jamieson in 1930; they had two sons and two daughters. He died on their two-acre retirement farm in Upper Hutt
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
All Black
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
rugby player, No 327. He was a lock. He played in 3 tests and 16 other matches for the All Blacks, including tours of Australia in 1926 and South Africa in 1928. He played for Southland and Canterbury provinces. He wrote a book on the British rugby team's tour of New Zealand in 1930.
He later worked as a travelling WEA (Workers' Educational Association
Workers' Educational Association
The Workers’ Educational Association seeks to provide access to education and lifelong learning for adults from all backgrounds, and in particular those who have previously missed out on education. The International Federation of Workers Education Associations has consultative status to UNESCO...
) tutor sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation
Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carnegie Corporation of New York, which was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 "to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding," is one of the oldest, largest and most influential of American foundations...
, before becoming head of the new Country Library Service in 1937, director of the National Library Service in 1945, and New Zealand's first National Librarian at the National Library of New Zealand
National Library of New Zealand
The National Library of New Zealand is New Zealand's legal deposit library charged with the obligation to "enrich the cultural and economic life of New Zealand and its interchanges with other nations"...
in 1964.
He was born in Amberley
Amberley
-Places:In Australia:* Amberley, Queensland, near Ipswich** RAAF Base AmberleyIn Canada:* Amberley, OntarioIn New Zealand:* Amberley, New Zealand, in north CanterburyIn the United Kingdom:* Amberley, Gloucestershire, England...
in North Canterbury, and educated at Christchurch Boys' High School
Christchurch Boys' High School
Christchurch Boys' High School is a single sex state secondary school in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is situated on a 12 hectare site between the suburbs of Riccarton and Fendalton, 4 kilometres to the west of central Christchurch. The school also provides boarding facilities for 130 boys, in a...
. His parents' keen interest in social reform and education influenced their children, who included Rewi Alley
Rewi Alley
Rewi Alley, 路易•艾黎, Lùyì Àilí, QSO, , was a New Zealand-born writer, educator, social reformer, potter, and member of the Communist Party of China....
the activist and educator who went to China.
Geoff married Eupham Jamieson in 1930; they had two sons and two daughters. He died on their two-acre retirement farm in Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt is a satellite city of Wellington. It is New Zealand's smallest city by population, the second largest by land area. It is in Greater Wellington.-Geography:Upper Hutt is 30 km north-east of Wellington...
.