Bridget Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bridget Williams
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Williams in 2012
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| Born | 1948 (age 76–77) |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Alma mater | University of Otago |
| Known for | founder of independent publishing companies Port Nicholson Press and Bridget Williams Books |
| Relatives | Robin Williams (father) |
Bridget Rosamund Williams, born in 1948, is a famous New Zealand publisher. She is known for starting two important publishing companies: Port Nicholson Press and Bridget Williams Books. She has helped share many stories and facts about New Zealand's history and people.
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Bridget Williams' Early Life
Bridget Williams was born in 1948. Her father, Robin Williams, was a mathematician. Bridget went to Wellington Girls' College. In 1966, she moved to Dunedin to study English literature at the University of Otago. Her father became a leader at the university a year later.
Bridget Williams' Publishing Career
Bridget Williams started her publishing journey in Oxford, England. She worked as a research assistant for professors. This work helped her become an editor at Oxford University Press (OUP).
Working with Oxford University Press
When Bridget returned to New Zealand in 1976, she kept working for OUP. She helped create the Oxford History of New Zealand. This was the first general history book about New Zealand in over 20 years.
Starting Her Own Companies
In 1981, Bridget left OUP to start her own company. She named it Port Nicholson Press. She founded it with Roy Parsons and Lindsey Missen.
Four years later, she sold Port Nicholson Press. She then became the managing director for Allen & Unwin in New Zealand. While there, two big projects won awards. These were the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography and The Treaty of Waitangi by Claudia Orange.
Founding Bridget Williams Books
In 1990, Bridget started her second company, Bridget Williams Books. This company focuses on non-fiction books. They publish books about New Zealand history, women's history, and Māori history.
Her company has made a huge difference in sharing New Zealand's past. Some famous books include The Book of New Zealand Women. Another is Tangata Whenua: An Illustrated History, which was the first general history of Māori.
In 1997, The Story of Suzanne Aubert won Book of the Year. In 2010, Encircled Lands: Te Urewera 1820–1921 won the NZ Post Book of the Year Award. From 1995 to 1998, she also published books with Auckland University Press.
Bridget has also been active in publishing events. She helped start the Listener Women's Book Festival. She was also involved in groups for independent publishers.
Awards and Recognition
Bridget Williams has received several important awards. In 1982, she was given a Winston Churchill Fellowship.
In 1996, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire. This award was for her great work in book publishing. In 2012, she became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This was also for her important contributions to publishing.
