William Fox (politician)

Sir William Fox
Fox in 1890
2nd Premier of New Zealand
In office
3 March 1873 – 8 April 1873
MonarchVictoria
GovernorSir George Bowen
Preceded byGeorge Waterhouse
Succeeded byJulius Vogel
In office
28 June 1869 – 10 September 1872
MonarchVictoria
GovernorSir George Bowen
Preceded byEdward Stafford
Succeeded byEdward Stafford
In office
12 July 1861 – 6 August 1862
MonarchVictoria
GovernorThomas Gore Browne
Sir George Grey
Preceded byEdward Stafford
Succeeded byAlfred Domett
In office
20 May 1856 – 2 June 1856
MonarchVictoria
GovernorThomas Gore Browne
Preceded byHenry Sewell
Succeeded byEdward Stafford
Personal details
Born(1812-01-20)20 January 1812
South Shields, England
Died23 June 1893(1893-06-23) (aged 81)
Auckland, New Zealand
Political partyNone
Spouse
Sarah Halcomb
(m. 1842⁠–⁠1893)
ChildrenNgataua Omahuru, renamed William Fox (Jr.)
(adopted)
Alma materWadham College, Oxford
Signature

Sir William Fox KCMG (20 January 1812 – 23 June 1893)[1] was the second premier of New Zealand and held that office on four occasions in the 19th century, while New Zealand was still a colony. He was known for his confiscation of Māori land rights, his contributions to the education system (such as establishing the University of New Zealand), and his work to increase New Zealand's autonomy from Britain. He has been described as determined and intelligent, but also as bitter and "too fond" of personal attacks. Different aspects of his personality are emphasised by different accounts.

  1. ^ "Sir William Fox | prime minister of New Zealand". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 5 October 2019.