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Thomas Adams (classicist)

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(Redirected from Thomas Adams (academic)) New Zealand cricketer and academic

Thomas Adams
Adams in 1901
Personal information
Full nameThomas Dagger Adams
Born(1884-01-15)15 January 1884
Dunedin, New Zealand
Died20 November 1953(1953-11-20) (aged 69)
Dunedin, New Zealand
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1907/08Otago
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 3
Runs scored 38
Batting average 6.33
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 18
Catches/stumpings 1/–
Source: Cricinfo, 28 January 2021

Thomas Dagger Adams (15 January 1884 – 20 November 1953) was a New Zealand academic who was professor of classics at the University of Otago from 1917 to 1948. He played three first-class cricket matches for Otago in 1907/08.

Early life and family

Born in Dunedin in 1884, Adams was the son of William Henry Adams and Eliza Johnston Adams (née Dagger). His father was prominent in the Presbyterian church in Dunedin, serving as a church elder for over 50 years. From 1897 to 1902, Adams was educated at Otago Boys' High School, where he excelled both academically and in sports: he won the junior fives championship; captained the 1st XI cricket team in 1902; and was named dux in 1901. He went on to study at the University of Otago, graduating Master of Arts with first-class honours in 1907.

First-class cricket

Adams played three first-class matches for the Otago cricket team in the 1907/08 season. He scored 38 runs, at an average of 6.33 with a high score of 18, and took one catch in the field. He is known to have played a single other match for the side in 1913/14, a non first-class fixture against Southland.

Academic career

In 1907, Adams was appointed lecturer in Latin at the university, and rose to become professor of classics in 1917. He served in that role for over 30 years, retiring at the end of 1948, when he was conferred with the title of professor emeritus. During his tenure at Otago, he served in various roles, including chair of the professorial board and dean of the arts faculty. Outside of the university, he was prominent in public life in Dunedin, serving as chair of the Knox College council, president of the Shakespeare Club, president of the Otago Institute for the Arts and Sciences, and patron of the Dunedin Repertory Society. He also gave regular readings about a wide range of topics on radio station 4YA between 1937 and 1947.

Adams' time at Otago was interrupted during World War I, when he enlisted voluntarily in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) in early 1917. He was overseas from the end of that year until March 1920. In England, he was appointed an educational instructor under the NZEF education scheme, and was granted the rank of temporary captain. When he was discharged in April 1920, he held the rank of second lieutenant.

When Adams retired from the University of Otago, the university council paid tribute to him, saying:

His natural love of literature and music and his nice discrimination in both have impelled him to give strong support both within and without the University to all movements whose object it was to foster the arts."

Later life and death

On 25 November 1948, Adams married Lucy Sandford Morton, at First Church in Dunedin. Morton was a retired schoolteacher, having been senior assistant at Otago Girls' High School, and also served as president of the University of Otago Court of Convocation, the University of Otago Graduates' Association, and the Otago Girls' High School Old Girls' Association. Adams died in Dunedin on 20 November 1953. His wife, Lucy Adams, died in 1964.

References

  1. ^ "Long record: Professor T. D. Adams". Otago Daily Times. 22 October 1947. p. 4. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Long record: service to church". Otago Daily Times. 16 September 1948. p. 8. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  3. "Birth search: registration number 1884/825". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  4. ^ Scholefield, G. H., ed. (1925). Who's Who in New Zealand and the Western Pacific. Masterton: Venables. p. 3.
  5. "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: A". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  6. Thomas Adams, CricInfo. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  7. Thomas Adams, CricketArchive. Retrieved 31 December 2021. (subscription required)
  8. "About people". Southland Times. 18 April 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Professor emeritus". Otago Daily Times. 29 September 1948. p. 4. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  10. "Difficult year". Otago Daily Times. 21 July 1948. p. 6. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  11. Pollock, Kerryn (22 October 2014). "Classical and foreign-language studies – Classics scholars and classics in literature". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  12. "University council". Evening Star. 7 March 1917. p. 7. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  13. "Adams, Thomas Dagger – WW1 55693 – Army". Archives New Zealand. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Wedding: Adams–Morton". Otago Daily Times. 30 November 1948. p. 2. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  15. "Cemetery details: Adams, Thomas Dagger". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  16. "Cemetery details: Adams, Lucy Sandford". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
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