Ann Trotter

Ann Trotter
Born
Alison Ann Trotter

(1932-01-23)23 January 1932
Hāwera, New Zealand
Died14 July 2022(2022-07-14) (aged 90)
Wellington, New Zealand
RelativesRon Trotter (brother)
Academic background
EducationSt Cuthbert's College
University of Otago
Alma materLondon School of Economics
ThesisBritish policy in East Asia 1933–1936 (1972)
Doctoral advisorIan Nish
Academic work
DisciplineHistorian
Sub-disciplineAsian history
InstitutionsUniversity of Otago

Alison Ann Trotter ONZM (23 January 1932 – 14 July 2022) was a New Zealand historian. She was the first woman to be appointed pro vice-chancellor of the University of Otago.

Early life and education[edit]

Alison Ann Trotter was born in Hāwera, New Zealand on 23 January 1932, daughter of Pan and Clement George Trotter. She was educated at Hāwera Main Primary School, before undertaking her secondary schooling at St Cuthbert's College in Auckland from 1945 to 1949, where she was head girl in her final year.[1][2]

She graduated from the University of Otago with a master of arts in 1953,[2] followed by teacher training at Auckland Training College.[1]

Career[edit]

Trotter taught history and social studies at Epsom Girls' Grammar School from 1959 to 1968, where she influenced Helen Clark, later prime minister of New Zealand.[1] She left to study in England, completing a Master of Arts degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies, followed by a PhD at the London School of Economics, where her research focussed on Asian history.[2]

In 1973, Trotter returned to New Zealand to lecture in Asian history at the University of Otago, rising to become a full professor in 1993.[2][3] She served as pro vice-chancellor at the University of Otago from 1993 to 1997, the first woman to fill this role.[2]

Trotter was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 1997 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to historical research.[4] She retired from the University of Otago in 1998, receiving the title of emeritus professor, and moved to Wellington.[3][5]

Trotter died in Wellington on 14 July 2022.[6]

Selected publications[edit]

  • Trotter, Ann (1975). Britain and East Asia, 1933–1937. London: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-20475-5. OCLC 1322250.
  • Trotter, Ann (1990). New Zealand and Japan, 1945–1952 : the occupation and the peace treaty. London: Athlone Press. ISBN 0-485-11398-8. OCLC 21482828.
  • Trotter, Ann (2003). Mary Potter's Little Company of Mary : the New Zealand experience, 1914-2002. Little Company of Mary. Wellington [N.Z.]: Bridget Williams Books. ISBN 1-877242-31-4. OCLC 71241610.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c McGibbon, Ian (13 September 2022). "Obituary of Professor Ann Trotter ONZM". NZIIA – New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Brookes, Barbara (5 August 2022). "Obituary: Ann Trotter, first female pro vice-chancellor of Otago University". Stuff. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Emeritus professors". The University of Otago Calendar for 2022 (PDF). 2022. p. 123. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  4. ^ "The Queen's Birthday Honours List 1997". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 2 June 1997. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  5. ^ Brookes, Barbara. "Alumni obituaries: Professor Ann Trotter, 14 July 2022". University of Otago. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Alison Trotter obituary (2022)". The New Zealand Herald. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.