Maurice Saxby: December 1924—December 2014

DR HENRY MAURICE SAXBY was known affectionately as the ‘godfather’ of Australian children’s literature. Born in 1924, he spoke of the influence of his mother who encouraged a love of reading. After service in World War II, he trained as a teacher and continued studying literature throughout his long life; helped found the Children’s Book Council of Australia; and passionately supported the development of school libraries.

Maurice was the foundational scholar of Australian children’s literature, publishing in the sixties A History of Australian Children’s Literature in two volumes; followed in 1993 by The Proof of the Puddin’: Australian Children’s Literature 1970–1990. And then he embarked on revising his earlier histories, volume 1 as Offered to Children (1998) and volume 2 as Images of Australia (2002). Maurice’s many years of teaching in schools, Teachers’ Colleges and universities meant that he influenced students of every age, from infants to adults. Adult students remember his inspiring lectures and his impish sense of humour, and many who became teachers themselves continue his inspired work, a legacy of more than 60 years. Wherever he went, former students would greet him with ‘Maurie, you taught me to know and love books!’

Maurice with his book Proof of the Pudding taken at Simmons College, Boston, USA

When Ena Noël founded IBBY Australia in the 1960s, Maurice immediately gave support; over the following decades, he provided continuity for succeeding IBBY Australia presidents, and in recent years he gave wise advice and encouragement to Jenni Woodroffe and me and our colleagues. Maurice served as judge for many Australian awards. In addition, in the 1980s he was the only Australian ever to serve as a member of the Hans Christian Andersen award jury. During his time on the jury two Australians, Patricia Wrightson and Robert Ingpen, were winners of the prestigious medal. In April 2014, at an International Children’s Book Day event, the 89-year-old Maurice spoke with still-fresh excitement about the dramatic moment when those 1986 awards were announced. He was proud to be the first honorary life member of IBBY Australia. Three weeks before he died, he attended its AGM and participated keenly in all the evening’s activities. Maurice was generous in every way to IBBY.

Although he worked tirelessly for the cause of our national literature, writing reviews and articles in its support and launching innumerable books, Maurice also had an international outlook. His years as Head of English (and later as Head of School) at Kuring-gai CAE were marked by the visits of many authors and illustrators from around the world. He had a fruitful time in residence at the Munich International Youth Library, and lectured in Britain, Germany, Japan, Canada and the USA. His twinkly eyes became even more twinkly when he spoke of his travels, many with his beloved wife Norma; after her death in 1990 he continued to visit new places. Not only in Australia but across the world, he will be remembered for his fine scholarship, his inspiring teaching, his encouraging spirit and his gift for friendship.

In the children’s literature community, we were preparing to celebrate Maurice’s ninetieth birthday, when his sudden death occurred. In January 2015 a memorial event at The University of Sydney (which had recently awarded him an Honorary Doctorate) was attended by 300 people, who wished to honour this great man. For my part, I say farewell and thank you to a special champion of IBBY, and a beloved mentor and friend.