James Cowan (New Zealand writer)
Encyclopedia
James Cowan was a New Zealand non-fiction writer, noted for his books on colonial history and Maori ethnography. A fluent Maori speaker, he was able to interview many veterans of the Land Wars
and his book
The New Zealand wars: a history of the Maori campaigns and the pioneering period (1922—23) was considered the definitive account until recent times.
, on the border of the King Country
,The farm was on land confiscated from Waikato Maori, and contained part of the site of the battlefield of Orakau. Settler militia were based at a military blockhouse close to his home, while there was a considerable Maori community in the area, and the young Cowan grew up speaking both English and Maori. He never lost his fascination with Maori culture and the Land Wars.
and a catalogue of the Maori paintings of Gottfried Lindauer
. In 1903, he began work for the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts in Wellington, writing magazine articles and books to promote tourism. ' New Zealand, or, Ao-teä-roa (the long bright world): its wealth and resources, scenery, travel routes, spas, and sport' was written during this period.
By 1909, Cowan was a freelance writer. The Maoris of New Zealand, written in 1910 was a general survey of Maori and in 1911, he wrote The adventures of Kimble Bent
an American who deserted the colonial forces during the land wars and who lived alongside their Maori foes.
From 1918 until 1922, Cowan was paid by the Department of Internal Affairs and worked on The New Zealand wars: a history of the Maori campaigns and the pioneering period. Other books on colonial topics included The old frontier: Te Awamutu, the story of the Waipa Valley in 1922, Tales of the Maori coast in 1930, Tales of the Maori bush in 1934 and Hero stories of New Zealand in 1935. Cowan also wrote on Maori ethnography for the Journal of the Polynesian Society and The Maori yesterday and to-day, and co-wrote Legends of the Maori with Maui Pomare
.
The First Labour Government granted James Cowan a pension in 1935, one of the first two New Zealand writers to receive state support. The deputation asking for this support said of Cowan he 'had never made any money out of his historical books but had done very good work for the country'
New Zealand land wars
The New Zealand Wars, sometimes called the Land Wars and also once called the Māori Wars, were a series of armed conflicts that took place in New Zealand between 1845 and 1872...
and his book
The New Zealand wars: a history of the Maori campaigns and the pioneering period (1922—23) was considered the definitive account until recent times.
Early life
Although born in Auckland, Cowan spent his childhood in KihikihiKihikihi
Kihikihi is a small town located in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is a satellite community of Te Awamutu, five kilometres to the north, and is 35 kilometres south of Hamilton...
, on the border of the King Country
King Country
The King Country is a region of the western North Island of New Zealand. It extends approximately from the Kawhia Harbour and the town of Otorohanga in the north to the upper reaches of the Whanganui River in the south, and from the Hauhungaroa and Rangitoto Ranges in the east to near the Tasman...
,The farm was on land confiscated from Waikato Maori, and contained part of the site of the battlefield of Orakau. Settler militia were based at a military blockhouse close to his home, while there was a considerable Maori community in the area, and the young Cowan grew up speaking both English and Maori. He never lost his fascination with Maori culture and the Land Wars.
Journalist and author
From 1887 to 1902, James Cowan was employed as a journalist for the New Zealand Herald in Auckland. His first books were published in 1901, a guide to TaupoTaupo
Taupo is a town on the shore of Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat of the Taupo District Council and lies in the southern Waikato Region....
and a catalogue of the Maori paintings of Gottfried Lindauer
Gottfried Lindauer
Gottfried Lindauer, also known as Gottfried or Bohumir Lindaur was a New Zealand artist of Czech descent famous for his portraits. Many prominent Māori chiefs commissioned his work, which accurately records their facial tattoos, clothing, ornaments and weapons. The other artist known for these...
. In 1903, he began work for the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts in Wellington, writing magazine articles and books to promote tourism. ' New Zealand, or, Ao-teä-roa (the long bright world): its wealth and resources, scenery, travel routes, spas, and sport' was written during this period.
By 1909, Cowan was a freelance writer. The Maoris of New Zealand, written in 1910 was a general survey of Maori and in 1911, he wrote The adventures of Kimble Bent
Kimball Bent
Kimball Bent , also known as "Kimble Bent", was a soldier and adventurer.At some stage Kimball Bent made his way to Liverpool, England and on 18 October 1859 enlisted in the 57th Regiment of Foot in the British Army. He served in India and his unit was posted to New Zealand in 1861...
an American who deserted the colonial forces during the land wars and who lived alongside their Maori foes.
From 1918 until 1922, Cowan was paid by the Department of Internal Affairs and worked on The New Zealand wars: a history of the Maori campaigns and the pioneering period. Other books on colonial topics included The old frontier: Te Awamutu, the story of the Waipa Valley in 1922, Tales of the Maori coast in 1930, Tales of the Maori bush in 1934 and Hero stories of New Zealand in 1935. Cowan also wrote on Maori ethnography for the Journal of the Polynesian Society and The Maori yesterday and to-day, and co-wrote Legends of the Maori with Maui Pomare
Maui Pomare
Sir Maui Wiremu Pita Naera Pomare, KBE, CMG was a New Zealand doctor and politician, being counted among the more prominent Māori political figures...
.
The First Labour Government granted James Cowan a pension in 1935, one of the first two New Zealand writers to receive state support. The deputation asking for this support said of Cowan he 'had never made any money out of his historical books but had done very good work for the country'
External links
- Works by or about James Cowan at Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
(scanned books original editions color illustrated) - Works by James Cowan at the New Zealand Electronic Text Centre
- A. H. McLintock (editor). "James Cowan" in An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, 1966.