ERIK NEWLAND OLSSEN
Professor Emeritus Erik Olssen is arguably New Zealand's pre-eminent social historian. Appointed at Otago University in 1969, he has contributed to the research and writing of New Zealand history over a sustained period, publishing his first book, John A. Lee, in 1977. A History of Otago (1984) has been described as one of New Zealand's best regional histories, and, what is perhaps his most celebrated book, The Red Feds: Revolutionary Industrial Unionism and the New Zealand Federation of Labour, 1908-14 (1988), is a classic account of labour history, effectively documenting the formation of a self-conscious working class, which in itself is an internationally exceptional feat. In 1978 he instigated and has since directed the Caversham project, New Zealand's most sophisticated community history, focussing on a Dunedin suburb. So far this project has generated over 50 seminar and conference papers, 40 working papers, one monograph, 25 scholarly articles, and an exhibition on gender at the Otago Settlers' Museum that was visited by over 10,000 people. Probably the largest social history project in Australasia, it has attracted significant international interest.
In addition to his monographs, many of his articles have been equally influential. Professor Olssen's colleagues single out several essays as seminal and revisionist, such as the essay on Truby King and the Plunket Society (1981) and 'Lands of Sheep and Gold' in Tasman Relations, edited by Keith Sinclair. He is regarded as a thoughtful historian whose work is always connected with international trends in historiography.
Frequently, however, Professor Olssen's colleagues also speak of his active contribution to the well-being of New Zealand history, of his being a major contributor at conferences, a regular supervisor of student research, and a leading figure in professional associations. He has served on numerous policy and advisory committees at national level, including membership of the Turnbull Library Trust Board, and he has participated fully in University committees at Otago. He was elected an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002.