Kenny, Alice Annie (1875–1960)
Kenny, Alice Annie (1875–1960)
New Zealand poet, short-story writer, novelist. Name variations: (pseudonym) Alan Armitage. Born Aug 31, 1875, at Newcastle, New Zealand; died on May 15, 1960, in Auckland; dau. of Thomas Nepean Edward Kenny and Annie (Edgecumbe) Kenny.
After winning story competitions in Auckland Star and New Zealand Graphic (1890s), began to contribute poems and stories regularly to New Zealand and Australian periodicals; became regular writer for Triad and drew attention of Ezra Pound, who was unsuccessful in soliciting work for Poetry (1911); poetry, described as lyrical, was often inspired by Gaelic legends; stories were humorous and dealt with New Zealand topics; produced experimental verse play, Sheila's Child and novel, Alan McBretney, which were serialized; worked as librarian for Paeroa Public Library (1925), while publishing work in numerous periodicals; work appears in anthologies, including Child Verses from Punch (1925), A Treasury of New Zealand Verse, 2nd ed (1926), and Kowhai Gold (1930); after publishing illustrated story and book of children's verse, was commissioned to write junior novels, some for boys under pseudonym Alan Armitage (1940s); wrote plays while in her 80s; member of New Zealand PEN (1946–60).
See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).