David Thorns

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David Thorns
ONZM
Born
David Christopher Thorns

(1943-08-26)26 August 1943
County Durham, England
Died (aged 77)
Christchurch
, New Zealand
Spouse
Gloria Kathleen Corrigan
​
​
(m. 1966; died 2018)​
Children2
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of Sheffield
University of Exeter
University of Canterbury
Academic work
DisciplineSociology
Sub-disciplineUrban sociology
InstitutionsUniversity of Exeter
University of Auckland
University of Canterbury

David Christopher Thorns

ONZM
(26 August 1943 – 25 December 2020) was a New Zealand sociologist, particularly known for his work on urban and suburban sociology.

Early life and family

Born in County Durham, England, in 1943,[1] Thorns graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Sheffield and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Exeter.[2][3]

In 1966, Thorns married Gloria Kathleen Corrigan, and the couple went on to have two children.[4]

Career

After eight years as a lecturer in sociology at the University of Exeter, Thorns moved to the

professor emeritus.[5] Thorns was awarded a Doctor of Letters
degree by the University of Canterbury in 1982.

Regarded as one of New Zealand's leading social scientists, Thorns was noted for his work in urban and regional sociology, investigating themes including suburbia, the sociology of housing and residential mobility, social inequality, urban sustainability, and globalisation and urban change.[6]

Honours and awards

In 1995, Thorns was elected a

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to urban sociology.[8]

Later life and death

Thorns' wife, Gloria, died in 2018.[9] Thorns died in Christchurch on 25 December 2020.[4]

Selected publications

  • Thorns, David C. (1972). Suburbia. London: MacGibbon and Kee.
    ISBN 0261632612
    .
  • Thorns, David C. (1992). Fragmenting societies?: a comparative analysis of regional and urban development. London: Routledge.
    ISBN 041504135X
    .
  • Thorns, David C. (2002). The transformation of cities: urban theory and urban life. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
    ISBN 0333745965
    .
  • Perkins, Harvey C.; Thorns, David C. (2012). Place, identity and everyday life in a globalizing world. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
    ISBN 978-0230575905
    .

References

  1. ^ "England & Wales, civil registration birth index, 1916–2007". Ancestry.com Operations. 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b "General information: university staff". Calendar 1976 (PDF). University of Auckland. 1976. p. 42. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Academic staff". Calendar 06 (PDF). Christchurch: University of Canterbury. 2006. p. 39. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "David Thorns death notice". The Press. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  5. ISBN 9781509914579
    . Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Current fellows: Emeritus Professor David Thorns". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  7. ^ "List of all Fellows with surnames S–U". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  8. ^ "New Year honours list 2009". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Obituaries: Gloria Kathleen Thorns". Lamb & Hayward. 2018.
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