William Fox (politician)

The Right Honourable Sir William Fox KCMG
Fox in 1890
2nd Premier of New Zealand
In office 3 March 1873 – 8 April 1873
Monarch	Victoria
Governor	Sir George Bowen
Preceded by	George Waterhouse
Succeeded by	Julius Vogel
In office 28 June 1869 – 10 September 1872
Monarch	Victoria
Governor	Sir George Bowen
Preceded by	Edward Stafford
Succeeded by	Edward Stafford
In office 12 July 1861 – 6 August 1862
Monarch	Victoria
Governor	Thomas Gore Browne Sir George Grey
Preceded by	Edward Stafford
Succeeded by	Alfred Domett
In office 20 May 1856 – 2 June 1856
Monarch	Victoria
Governor	Thomas Gore Browne
Preceded by	Henry Sewell
Succeeded by	Edward Stafford
Personal details
Born	(1812-01-20)20 January 1812 South Shields, England
Died	23 June 1893(1893-06-23) (aged 81) Auckland, New Zealand
Political party	None
Spouse	Sarah Halcomb ​ (m. 1842⁠–⁠1893)​
Children	Ngataua Omahuru, renamed William Fox (Jr.) (adopted)
Alma mater	Wadham College, Oxford
Signature

Sir William Fox KCMG (20 January 1812 – 23 June 1893)^[1] was the second premier of New Zealand and held that office on four occasions in the 19th century, while New Zealand was still a colony. He was known for his confiscation of Māori land rights, his contributions to the education system (such as establishing the University of New Zealand), and his work to increase New Zealand's autonomy from Britain. He has been described as determined and intelligent, but also as bitter and "too fond" of personal attacks. Different aspects of his personality are emphasised by different accounts.