John Guthrie

John Guthrie (1905–1955), was the pseudonym of John Brodie, a journalist and novelist originally from New Plymouth. He wrote several novels about New Zealand and his home city and created controversy in the Taranaki area when several locals believed that they were being portrayed negatively as characters in his books.  While studying for a BA and a Diploma of Journalism  at Canterbury University College he severely broke his leg playing rugby which subsequently had to be amputated; up to that point he had been regarded as a potential All Black. His first novel The Little Country about pioneer life in 19th century New Plymouth was written while recovering from this accident. Another novel The Seekers was turned into a major film by Universal-International in 1954 in what was to became the first international film to be made in New Zealand (featuring Inia Te Wiata playing a Maori chief). He moved to London in 1938, and in World War II was an Intelligence Officer in the Royal Air Force. After the war in London he edited the literary magazine Books of Today and was assistant editor of World's Press News. He died suddenly from coronary thrombosis on-board a ship after visiting New Zealand in 1955.