Robert William Lowry Explained

Robert William Lowry
Birth Date:	17 November 1912
Birth Place:	Paeroa, New Zealand
Occupation:	Printer, publisher, typographer and teacher

Robert William Lowry (17 November 1912  - 7 December 1963) was a New Zealand printer, publisher, typographer and teacher.^[1]

Biography

Lowry was born in Paeroa, New Zealand, on 17 November 1912.^[2] He was the eldest child of Janet (Jessie) Craig Forrest and Robert William Lowry, a storekeeper, farmer and carpenter from Ireland.^[2]

He was educated at Auckland Grammar School,^{[3] [4]} where he first became interested in typography, and at Auckland University College (1931–1933). He was conferred a bachelor of arts degree during war service in 1943.^[5] While still at university, he undertook several printing enterprises, including the printing of The Phoenix, the journal of the university's literary club.^[6] At this time Lowry was an admirer of Francis Meynell, Eric Gill and Stanley Morison, as well as Tschichold.

During World War II he served with the 2NZEF in New Caledonia and printed the Forces newspaper in the Pacific.^{[1] [7]}

After university Lowry set up the Unicorn Press, and later the Pelorus Press.

Further reading

• Web site: Lowry, Robert William . Hughes . Peter H. . Dictionary of New Zealand Biography . 2002 . Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand . 14 June 2022.
• Thomas . Patricia . Beyond the Merely Good: The Typography of Bob Lowry . Parenthesis: The Journal of the Fine Press Book Association . 13 . August 2007 . 22–24.

Mentioned in

Lowry has been mentioned in many publications:^[8]

• Barrowman . Rachel . R. A. K. Mason, 1905–1971 . Kōtare: New Zealand Notes & Queries . 7 . 3 . 2008 . 158–171 . 10.26686/knznq.v7i3.713 . free .
• Book: Brasch, Charles . Indirections: A Memoir 1909–1947 . Eight — Hallenstein Bros . Oxford University Press . Wellington . 185 . NZETC.
• Book: Fairburn, A. R. D. . Collected Poems . Pegasus Press . Christchurch . 1966 . 144 . NZETC. Poem Addressed to Mr Robert Lowry on the Occasion of the Birth of his Fourth Daughter
• Hamilton . Stephen . Red Hot Gospels of Highbrows: R. A. K. Mason and the Demise of Phoenix . Kōtare: New Zealand Notes & Queries . 1 . 1 . 1998 . 5–11 . 10.26686/knznq.v1i1.582 . free .
• Hamilton . Stephen . A Bibliographical Description and Nominal Index to The Phoenix, Auckland University College, 1932-1933 . Kōtare: New Zealand Notes & Queries . 2 . 1 . 1999 . 30–38 . 10.26686/knznq.v2i1.599 . free .
• Hamilton . Stephen . Charles Brasch, 1909–1973 . Kōtare: New Zealand Notes & Queries . 7 . 3 . 2008 . 172–179 . 10.26686/knznq.v7i3.714 . free .
• Book: Hughes, Peter . Griffith . Penny . Hughes . Peter . Loney . Alan . A Book in the Hand: Essays on the History of the Book in New Zealand . Eleven: Bob Lowry and the Pelorus Press, 1945–53 . Auckland University Press . Wellington . 2000 . ix, 165–169 . NZETC. .
• Jones . Lawrence . Frank Sargeson [Norris Frank Davey], 1903–1982 . Kōtare: New Zealand Notes & Queries . 7 . 2 . 2008 . 157–211 . 10.26686/knznq.v7i2.672 . free .
• Jones . Lawrence . Roderick Finlayson, 1904–1992 . Kōtare: New Zealand Notes & Queries . 7 . 2 . 2008 . 212–225 . 10.26686/knznq.v7i2.673 . free .
• Mallet . A. . Craft at the Academy . Design Review . 3 . 3, November–December . 1950 . 72 . NZETC.
• Parsons . Peter . The Postwar Development of Industrial Design in New Zealand . New Zealand Manufacturer . 18 . ID65 . New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation (Inc.) . 1 October 1965 .
• Shieff . Sarah . Denis Glover, 1912–1980 . Kōtare: New Zealand Notes & Queries . 7 . 3 . 2008 . 189–215 . 10.26686/knznq.v7i3.716 . free .
• Steer . Philip . Elsie Locke, 1912–2001 . Kōtare: New Zealand Notes & Queries . 7 . 1 . 2007 . 177–184 . 10.26686/knznq.v7i1.781 . free .
• Book: Taylor, Nancy M. . 23. The Arts Survive . The New Zealand People at War: The Home Front . 2 . Historical Publications Branch, Department of Internal Affairs . Wellington . 1986 . 1187 . 0477012604 . NZETC.

Notes and References

1. News: Obituary: Mr R. W. Lowry . The Press . 102 . 30310 . 10 December 1963 . 8 .
2. Web site: Lowry, Robert William . Peter H.. Hughes . Dictionary of New Zealand Biography . Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand . 23 April 2017.
3. News: Scholarship Passes . The New Zealand Herald . 65 . 19848 . 19 January 1928 . 11 .
4. News: Matriculation . The Auckland Star . 60 . 16 . 19 January 1929 . 7 .
5. News: Degrees Conferred . The Evening Post . 135 . 126 . 29 May 1943 . 6 .
6. News: The Bookshelf . The New Zealand Herald . 69 . 21165 (Supplement) . 23 April 1932 . 8 .
7. Web site: Robert William Lowry . Online Cenotaph . . 14 June 2022.
8. Web site: Robert William Lowry 1912–1963 (Person) . University of Wellington.