CHAPMAN, GEORGE THOMSON (1824-81) was born at Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland, and educated there. After serving his apprenticeship to a general storekeeper he went into business and married. Becoming interested in Otago, where the Free Church was founding a settlement, he and his brother purchased land and sailed in the Blundell (1849). They settled as missionary teachers at East Taieri but soon withdrew and entered mercantile life in Dunedin.

Chapman originated the Mechanics' Institute and was secretary of it (1851), and in the same year was vice-president of the Otago library. At the end of 1851 he left for Sydney, found his way to the Victorian goldfields and, having some luck there, paid a visit to Scotland (1853). Having remarried, he sailed again for Sydney. There his ship became involved in litigation, so he started in business in Pitt Street, but finding this not promising he came to Auckland in the brig Heather Bell (1855) and set up a bookseller and stationer's business in Queen Street, with a circulating library attached. There he published the first of his New Zealand Almanacs and guide books, the first of the guides being dated 1872. His centenary memorial of Captain Cook's discovery of New Zealand appeared in 1870. Chapman died on 24 Jun 1881. (See C. R. CHAPMAN)

N.Z. Herald, 25 Jun 1881.

Reference: Volume 1, page 92

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