Gordon McLauchlan

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Gordon William McLauchlan

ONZM (9 January 1931 – 26 January 2020) was a New Zealand writer and social historian. He became a popular media personality through his work on both television and radio.[1]

Early life and family

Born in Dunedin on 9 January 1931, McLauchlan was educated at Wellington College.[2] In 1955, he married Beverley Mary Hogan; the couple had three children and later divorced.[2] He married Beverley Dawn Forbes in 1982.[2]

Career

After spending a year at

Radio Pacific.[2]

As a social historian and cultural critic, McLauchlan wrote many books, including the best-selling The Passionless People, a social history of New Zealand, published in 1976, which spawned a two-part television documentary.[1] Over 20 other books were to follow, as well as a play, The Last Days of Frank Sargeson. For 10 years, he was also editor-in-chief of the Bateman New Zealand Encyclopaedia, first published in 1984, and revised editions in 1987, 1991, and 1995.[1]

McLauchlan's writing led to a second career as a media commentator, presenting television and radio programmes. Between 1984 and 1988, he presented Weekend, a magazine programme on TVNZ, and later he was co-presenter of the TV3 news magazine programme, 5.30 Live, from 1993 to 1994.[2] He made regular appearances on RNZ National's The Panel segment on weekday afternoons.[1]

Honours and awards

In 1987, McLauchlan won Presenter of the Year at New Zealand's

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to historical research.[3]

Death

McLauchlan died on 26 January 2020, a few days after his 89th birthday.[4] In tribute, Hamish Keith tweeted that McLauchlan was New Zealand's "greatest storyteller".[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "McLauchlan, Gordon". Read NZ Te Pou Muramura. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  2. ^
    ISSN 1172-9813
    .
  3. ^ "Queen's Birthday Honours 2019 – citations for Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit". Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b Orsman, Bernard (27 January 2020). "Writer and social historian Gordon McLauchlan dies aged 89". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 January 2020.