ISITT, FRANCIS WHITMORE (1846-1916) was born at Bedford, England, and received his theological training at the Wesleyan College, Richmond. He came to New Zealand in 1870. He was a master of pulpit oratory, and held several important pastorates until broken health compelled temporary retirement. With health restored he devoted some years to church work and in 1900 he became secretary of the New Zealand Alliance (a position he retained until 1909). He was a prominent prohibition leader and brought to this work great organising capacity, strong conviction, boundless enthusiasm and tireless industry.

A magnetic personality, Isitt had great gifts as a platform speaker and wielded a trenchant pen as editor of The Prohibitionist (afterwards known as The Vanguard). During his secretaryship of the New Zealand Alliance ten electorates carried no-license. The impress of his influence is upon the statutes relating to the licensed liquor traffic.

Isitt married (1874) Mary Campbell, daughter of William Purdie. He died on 11 Nov 1916.

M.A.; R.P.

Reference: Volume 1, page 231

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