Charles Purnell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles William Purnell
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Portrait of Charles Purnell (year unknown)
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| Born | 1843 Lambeth, London, England
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| Died | 7 December 1926 Ashburton, New Zealand
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| Occupation | journalist, lawyer, publisher, poet |
| Known for | publication of political and scientific texts |
Charles William Purnell (born in 1843, died in 1926) was an interesting person from New Zealand. He was a soldier, a journalist (someone who writes for newspapers), a lawyer, and he even published books about politics and science.
Contents
Early Life and Work
Charles Purnell was born in Lambeth, London, England, in 1843. He went to private schools there. In 1856, when he was about 13, he moved with his parents and five brothers and sisters to Taranaki, New Zealand. They arrived on a ship called the Chatham.
In Taranaki, Charles joined the local army, known as the militia. He also reportedly fought in the American Civil War for the Southern states.
A Career in Newspapers
Charles Purnell started his career learning to be a printer at the Taranaki Herald newspaper. After that, he became a journalist. He worked for The Wellington Independent and was an editor for The Evening Post and the Wanganui Chronicle.
In March 1868, he became the editor of The Press newspaper in Christchurch. This was a tough time for the newspaper because of money problems. To try and save it, The Press started printing only three times a week instead of every day. Charles was editor for eight months. During this time, the newspaper got new owners and more money. It started printing daily again in December 1868 and cost less. Charles then moved on to other things.
Becoming a Lawyer
In January 1878, Charles Purnell changed his career from journalism to law. He became a lawyer in Dunedin. He then moved to Ashburton, where he worked as a lawyer until he died. He also became one of the first captains of the Ashburton Guards, a local defense group.
In May 1878, Charles Purnell spoke to a group called the New Zealand Institute. He suggested that New Zealand and Australia should work together to explore the Antarctic. He believed New Zealand was the perfect place to start such an adventure. Even though he suggested it early, big explorations didn't start until the 1890s.
Political Attempts
Charles Purnell tried to become a Member of Parliament several times.
- In the 1881 election, he ran in the Wakanui area but came in last place.
- In the 1887 election, he tried again in the Ashburton area. He ran against the person already in charge but lost by a lot of votes.
- In the 1893 election, he was one of four people running in Ashburton, but he came in last again.
Family Life
Charles Purnell's parents stayed in New Plymouth, New Zealand, until they passed away. His father, also named Charles Purnell, used to build boats for the Crimean War in England. In New Zealand, he worked for Harry Atkinson, who later became a Prime Minister. Charles's mother, Sarah Ann Purnell, died in 1866. His father died two years later in 1868. They are both buried in New Plymouth.
Charles Purnell Jr. was the oldest of his siblings.
- His brother, James "Jim" Purnell (1844–1926), became a major after the New Zealand Wars. He was a champion at rifle shooting and worked as a town clerk in Wanganui.
- Another brother, George Purnell (1846–1931), also lived in Wanganui. George's son later started a law firm in Christchurch that is still around today.
- His brother, Alfred Henry Purnell (1849–1908), moved to Thames in 1874 to work in mining.
- His oldest sister, Sarah Ann Purnell (1852–1932), married Charles Frederick Andrews. She lived in Grey Lynn.
- His younger sister, Jessie Eleanor Purnell (1855–1928), married James Graham. They lived in Wanganui and she was active in the Methodist Church.
- His youngest sister, Mary Caroline "Lucy" Purnell (1858–1945), was born in New Zealand. She married Robert Pitkethley and they lived in Sydney, Australia.
On June 2, 1870, Charles Purnell married Flavia Marie Hyde in Christchurch. His wife passed away in 1924. Charles Purnell died in Ashburton on December 7, 1926, after a short illness. He was still working as a lawyer right up until his death.
