Geoffrey Thomas Alley

Who was Geoffrey Thomas Alley?

Geoffrey Thomas "Geoff" Alley was a New Zealand All Black rugby player, No 327. He was a lock. He played in 3 tests and 16 other matches for the All Blacks, including tours of Australia in 1926 and South Africa in 1928. He played for Southland and Canterbury provinces. He wrote a book on the British rugby team's tour of New Zealand in 1930.

He later worked as a travelling WEA tutor sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation, before becoming head of the new Country Library Service in 1937, director of the National Library Service in 1945, and New Zealand's first National Librarian at the National Library of New Zealand in 1964.

He was born in Amberley in North Canterbury, and educated at Christchurch Boys' High School. His parents' keen interest in social reform and education influenced their children, who included Rewi Alley the activist and educator who went to China.

Geoff married Euphan Jamieson in 1930; they had two sons and two daughters. He died on their two-acre retirement farm in Upper Hutt.