Professor William Manhire, FRSNZ

News from the occasional newsletter from the Victoria University centre of the International Institute of Modern Letters

Whether by virtue of applied science or pure magic, on 6 October IIML director Bill Manhire was one of 12 top pure and applied science and humanities researchers to be elected as Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand. The press release announcing this new honour describes Professor William Manhire of the International Institute of Modern Letters as ‘an internationally distinguished poet, essayist and writer of short fiction’, adding that ‘His critical, teaching and entrepreneurial skills have made him the foremost figure in developing New Zealand writing.’ Bill’s newly elected colleagues include experts in statistical models, algorithmic information theory, volcanic ash and rhizobium-legume symbiosis. As Ken Duncum put it in his congratulatory message - ‘in amongst the algae and the algorithms Creative Writing sedately waves its fronds.’

The Bookman offers warmest congratulations Bill.