author
George Grey
1812–1898
An energetic explorer, colonial governor, and political leader, he lived a life that stretched across Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. He also wrote widely and took a deep interest in language, culture, and collecting books and manuscripts.
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About the author
Born in Lisbon in 1812, Sir George Grey became known as a soldier, explorer, colonial administrator, and writer. Early expeditions in Western Australia helped make his name, and he later held some of the most demanding posts in the British Empire, serving as governor of South Australia, twice as governor of New Zealand, and governor of the Cape Colony before going on to become premier of New Zealand.
Grey was not only a public figure but also a prolific writer. His books drew on travel, observation, and his interest in the peoples and places he encountered, and he became especially associated with the recording of Māori traditions and language. That scholarly side of his life sat alongside a long and often controversial political career.
He died in London in 1898, but his legacy remained especially strong in New Zealand and southern Africa. Along with his political reputation, he is remembered for his role as a collector and supporter of libraries, leaving behind a body of writing and historical material that still attracts readers today.