Henry Maurice Saxby was an Australian educator, author, critic, reviewer and authority on Australian children's literature.
22 Facts About Maurice Saxby
1.
2.
Henry Maurice Saxby was born on 26 December 1924 in Botany, New South Wales.
3.
Maurice Saxby's father was Maurice Henry Saxby and his mother was Nettie Thompson.
4.
Maurice Saxby attended and won awards at Leeton High School and completed his Leaving Certificate in 1941 at Fort Street Boys' High School, later studying at the Metropolitan Business College.
5.
Maurice Saxby served in the Australian Imperial Forces from 1943 to 1946, including as an army medic in the 4th Field Ambulance in Madang, Papua New Guinea during World War II and was discharged with the rank of Sergeant after the war.
6.
Maurice Saxby spent five years teaching in infants, primary and high schools in New South Wales including setting up a library in North Sydney School, appointment to Forest Lodge Demonstration School as a teacher-librarian, and Picton High School teaching English.
7.
Maurice Saxby was associated with the NSW School Library Service working with Joyce Fardell.
8.
Maurice Saxby completed his Masters of Education at the University of Sydney before lecturing in the Bachelor of Education course.
9.
Maurice Saxby was appointed as a lecturer in English at Newcastle Teachers College, lectured at Alexander Mackie College and continued to lecture at various colleges and universities in Australia and overseas.
10.
Maurice Saxby moved to Kuring-gai College of Advanced Education where he lectured in English, Librarianship and Children's Literature until his retirement as Head Teacher of Education.
11.
Maurice Saxby is considered, by those involved with Australian children's literature, as the foremost commentator on, and critic of, the field.
12.
Maurice Saxby was recognised internationally as an authority on children's literature and on Australian children's writing in particular.
13.
Maurice Saxby continued researching and surveying the history of Australian children's literature in a second volume which he completed as a PhD thesis at the University of Technology Sydney and published as "Images of Australia 1940 to 1970" and a third volume "The Proof of the Puddin'".
14.
Maurice Saxby turned me not just into a children's writer, but with his kindness and insight, made me the one I am now.
15.
Maurice Saxby reviewed Australian children's books for a range of publications including Magpies, Reading Time, Viewpoint, Literature Base and Orana.
16.
Maurice Saxby was the first national president of the Children's Book Council of Australia in 1958, served as a judge for the CBCA book of the year awards.
17.
Maurice Saxby remained associated with the Children's Book Council of Australia for more than 60 years and was granted life membership in recognition of his achievements, receiving a Children's Book Council National Council Citation in 1991.
18.
Maurice Saxby served twice on the international jury for the Hans Christian Andersen Awards.
19.
Maurice Saxby was nominated by Ena Noel, and elected to the jury in 1984 and 1986.
20.
Maurice Saxby served as judge for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards.
21.
Maurice Saxby married Norma Jean Bateson on 14 December 1972.
22.
Henry Maurice Saxby died on 30 November 2014 in Hunters Hill, New South Wales.