Cottrell, Violet May (1887–1971)

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Cottrell, Violet May (1887–1971)

New Zealand writer, poet, and spiritualist. Name variations: Violet May Grainger. Born May 17, 1887, in Napier, New Zealand; died May 28, 1971, in Napier; dau. of George William Grainger (civil engineer) and Eliza Jane (Fleetham) Grainger; m. Horace Spencer Cottrell (salesman), 1915 (died 1960); children: 1 daughter, 1 son.

Wrote on numerous subjects, including health, sex and marriage, philosophy, religion, psychology, economics and war; was a spiritualist (1920s–30s) and contributed writings to Harbinger of Light; worked at Rehabilitation Board during WWII and joined New Zealand Women Writers' and Artists' Society (1939); composed brief verses on numerous topics from feminist perspective; contributed substantial work to Daily Telegraph, including stories, radio plays, poems, and articles featuring New Zealand sites, bird life, and the Maori.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 4).