Biographies Given To Museum

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 1

Biographies Given To Museum

A monumental dictionary of Canterbury biography, containing in card indexes particulars about 12,000 notable men and women from the time of settlement to the turn of the century, was presented to the Canterbury Museum yesterday by its compiler, Mr G. R. Macdonald. It is described as the largest and most valuable

gifts of its kind ever made to the museum. For 12 years Mr Macdonald collected and recorded every reference to these people, even checked dates on tombstones all over the province, and has now indexed his cards under both alphabetical and occupational headings. Mr Macdonald described to the board yesterday how he went about his work, first copying known biographical records, then searching more than 50 years of newspapers, and conducting thousands of personal interviews. He indicated that some of these personal sidelights might be the

most illuminating features of the work. The hand-written cards are contained in dozens of steel cabinet drawers, the security of which the museum will ensure. It will also probably name the collection “The G. R. Macdonald Dictionary of Canterbury Biography.” Mr Macdonald was educated at Christ’s College, graduated from Christ Church College, Oxford, and was called to the bar of the Inner Temple. But he took up sheep-farming in North Canterbury instead of law. He is well known for his historical writings. Yesterday

he acknowledged the great help he had received from Mr David Macmillan and the late Sir James Hight and the late Mr Carl Straubel, plus other regional helpers. The work Is not entirely complete yet Mr Macdonald is at present compiling a name index to the dictionary; he has already completed a subject index. It is also intended wherever possible to file a portrait of the person concerned with his or her biography. Good progress has already been made by the museum in this part of the project and it is intended to continue the work gradually.