Antony Alpers was born and educated in Christchurch and enjoyed an extraordinary career as a journalist, music critic, editor, teacher, professor and author.

His books are as diverse as his experiences of life; they include the acclaimed Katherine Mansfield: A Biography, 1953, the groundbreaking Dolphins, 1960, and the world renowned Maori Myths and Tribal Legends, 1964.

He was a modest man of broad learning and quick wit whose contributions to academia are immense. He died in 1996 aged 77 years.