Obituary Mr James Courage (Press, 7 October 1963)

James Francis Courage, a notable New Zealand author born in Amberley, passed away in London at the age of 60 on Saturday, 5 October 1963. He was the elder son of Mr H. F. Courage of Seadown and Mrs Z. F. Courage. Courage attended Christ’s College from 1916 to 1921 and had a prolific literary career, writing at least one play and several novels. He also managed a bookshop in London, contributing to the literary community. Courage’s literary journey began with his first publication, “One House,” in 1933. However, his work “The Young Have Secrets,” released in 1954, drew particular attention as it was set in Christchurch, showcasing his New Zealand roots. In addition to his writing, he had a passion for piano playing. Throughout his career, Courage became one of New Zealand’s distinguished authors. However, his work faced controversy; in 1962, the Customs Department, upon the recommendation of an inter-departmental committee, banned his novel “The Way of Love” due to its homosexual theme. This novel had been available to the public since February 1959, but the ban highlighted the societal tensions surrounding topics of sexuality at the time. James Francis Courage's contributions to literature and the challenges he faced reflect both his talent and the complexities of cultural acceptance in New Zealand during his lifetime.

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