George Petersen (historian)

George Conrad Petersen
Born (1900-06-19)June 19, 1900
Mauriceville West, Wairarapa, New Zealand
Died October 25, 1978(1978-10-25) (aged 78)
Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
Occupation Lawyer, local politician and historian
Children 1 son and 2 daughters

George Conrad Petersen (19 June 1900 – 25 October 1978) was a New Zealand lawyer, consul, local politician and historian.

Early Life

Petersen was born in Mauriceville West, Wairarapa, New Zealand in 1900. He received his education at Mauriceville West School and Masterton District High School. During school, Petersen had boarded with the Cairns family. He trained as a barrister and solicitor under Edward Orr Hurley and was admitted in 1924.[1]

Petersen married his former classmate Elizabeth "Stella" Osberta Cairns on 27 December 1926, and they had one son and two daughters.

Stella died in 1963. Following her death, he married her sister, Coyla Samuella May Foote on the 4th of September 1965. Coyla died in 1974.

Career

Petersen was a city councillor for Palmerston North. He edited four editions of the Who's Who in New Zealand.

Of Danish parentage, he was active his whole life for Danish interests. As a member of the Danish Society in Palmerston North, he raised money for the Danish underground, and he was awarded the King Christian X's Liberty Medal in 1946 for his actions. From 1948, he acted as vice-consul for Denmark, and was appointed consul in 1966.

He was the New Zealand liaison person for the second Galathea expedition. For this work, he was awarded the Galathea Medal of Denmark in 1956, and for his overall contribution to Denmark was made Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog in 1958, and was promoted to Knight 1st Class in 1968. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters by Massey University in 1964; this was only the second honorary doctorate awarded by this university.[1][2]

Later Life

Petersen died at Palmerston North on 25 October 1978.[1] Petersen is buried alongside his first wife in a family grave at Kelvin Grove Cemetery in Palmerston North.[3][4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lundy, Jim. "George Conrad Petersen". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  2. ↑ "Honorary graduates". Massey University. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Cemetery and Cremation Detail". Palmerston North City Council. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  4. ↑ "Cemetery and Cremation Detail". Palmerston North City Council. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
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