O'SULLIVAN, RICHARD JAMES (1828-89) was born in Ireland, received a university education there, and was a good English and classical scholar. In 1861 he arrived in Auckland and engaged in teaching (John Sheehan being one of his pupils). For some time he was publisher of the Southern Cross, and he was also clerk and librarian of the Auckland Provincial Council. When the Council in 1869 passed an ordinance providing for the establishment of common schools with aid from public funds he was appointed secretary to the board, and did valuable work visiting the out-districts and organising schools. In 1872 he became inspector of schools, a position in which he continued to exhibit the greatest zeal and ability in building up the education system. On the passage of the act establishing free, secular and compulsory education (1877) O'Sullivan was appointed inspector of schools in the Government service, and he continued in that post until his retirement (1888). He was the author of an excellent manual Instructions for the Guidance of Teachers. His death occurred on 5 Nov 1889.

Auckland P.C. Proc.; Butchers, Young N.Z. and Educ.; Auckland Star, 5 Nov 1889; N.Z. Herald, 6, 9 Nov.

Reference: Volume 2, page 73

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