Donal Ian Brice Smith[2] (4 February 1934 – 27 September 2023) was a New Zealand middle-distance runner and English literature academic. He represented his country at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and 1960 Olympic Games, and was a professor of English at the University of Auckland from 1973 until his retirement in 2000.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Donal Ian Brice Smith |
| Born | 4 February 1934 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Died | 27 September 2023 (aged 89) |
| Spouse |
Jill Evans (m. 1959) |
| Children | 3 |
| Academic background | |
| Education | Auckland Grammar School |
| Alma mater | |
| Thesis | An edition of The rehearsal transpros'd by Andrew Marvell, with introduction and commentary (1963) |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | English literature |
| Institutions | |
| Sport | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Sport | Track and field |
| Event | Middle-distance running |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best | 800 m: 1:48.52[1] |
Early life and family
editSmith was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on 4 February 1934, the son of Bruce and Judy (née Jaffray) Smith.[2][3] He was educated at Auckland Grammar School and at University of Auckland, taking a BA in 1954 and an MA the following year.[4] After a brief period lecturing at Auckland, he was the inaugural recipient of the Eliot Davis Memorial Scholarship in 1956, which provided for three years of study at either Cambridge or Oxford.[5] Later that year, he matriculated at Merton College, Oxford, spending the next four years studying for his DPhil.[4] His doctoral thesis was titled An edition of The rehearsal transpros'd by Andrew Marvell, with introduction and commentary.[6]
In 1959, Smith married Marjory Jill Evans,[4] with whom he later had three children.[7]
Athletic career
editIn 1958, Smith finished fifth in the final of the 880 yards at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. At the 1960 Summer Olympics, he was eliminated in the quarter-final of the 800 metres.[2]
Academic career
editAfter a period at the University of Toronto, Smith was appointed a professor of English at the University of Auckland in 1973.[8][9] When he retired in 2000, he was accorded the title of professor emeritus.[10]
Death
editSmith died on 27 September 2023, at the age of 89.[7]
References
edit- ^ Donal Smith: Biographical information, Olympedia
- ^ a b c Donal Smith at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
- ^ "Births". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. 71, no. 21720. 8 February 1934. p. 1. Retrieved 30 September 2023 – via PapersPast.
- ^ a b c Levens, R.G.C., ed. (1964). Merton College Register 1900-1964. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p. 483.
- ^ "Personal items". The Press. Vol. 93, no. 27941. 12 April 1956. p. 12. Retrieved 30 September 2023 – via PapersPast.
- ^ "An edition of The rehearsal transpros'd by Andrew Marvell, with introduction and commentary". SOLO. University of Oxford. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Donal Smith obituary". The New Zealand Herald. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ Millar, Paul (2013). No Fretful Sleeper: A Life of Bill Pearson. Auckland University Press. ISBN 9781869405410. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ "University personnel". Calendar 1999 (PDF). University of Auckland. p. 651. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ "Professores emeriti". University of Auckland. 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
External links
edit- Profile at trackfield.brinkster.net