Robert McNab (1864–1917) was a lawyer, farmer, politician and historian. Following a brief legal career, he entered politics in 1893 winning the Mataura seat for the Liberal Party. He was twice offered ministerial positions by Richard Seddon but rejected them on both occasions due to strong differences of opinion with the Prime Minister. On Seddon's death he received several portfolios including Lands, Agriculture and was given responsibility for the Valuation Department and Commissioner of State Forests. As well as being active in the temperance movement, he was an early promoter of electoral reform and advocated that New Zealand adopt a system of proportional representation. He became an avid historical researcher and published several works relating to the early history of New Zealand and of the South Island in particular. Two works of particular note were Murihiku: A History of the South Island of New Zealand (1909) and The Old Whaling Days (1913). They were later submitted as theses to the University of New Zealand for which he was awarded a doctorate. He died in Wellington in 1917 from heart failure and is buried in Invercargill.
See the link below to the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography for further information.
