Richards, James Harray Biography 1991

RICHARDS, James Harray [Ray], DSC 1945;
Literary Agent and Book Publisher
Born Dannevirke, 1 Feb 1921, son of Reverend James Richards and Margaret (née Harray); married Barbara Jeanne Pryke, daughter of Frank and Annie Pryke, 1949; three daughters.
Education: Mornington and Cambridge Primary Schools; Hamilton High School; Wellington College.
NZ Corps of Signals 1941 (Signalman); RN Fleet Air Arm, Pilot 1941-46 (Lt A); 2nd Territorial squadron, RNZAF, Pilot 1949-50 (Flight Lieutenant).
Book Publisher, A H and A W Reed, 1946-76, successively Production Manager, Magazine Manager, Senior Editor, Director, Publisher, Managing Director, Vice Chairman (NZ), Publisher, Chairman (Australia); Executive Director, Book Publishers Association of NZ, 1977-78; Richards Literary Agency and Ray Richards Publisher, 1978 (partnership with Barbara Richards and Nicki [Richards] Wallace); founded NZ’s first Literary Agency; also specialist publisher for local bodies, institutions; President, NZ Book Publishers Association 1965-67, 1975-76.
Publications: edited, published some thousands NZ, Australian Books; Editor, NZ Holiday magazine, 1955-60; author, travel, popular history works; NZ correspondent, Australian Bookseller and Publisher 1978; Asian Pacific Book Development, 1984-90; NZ compiler, publisher, NZ Books in Print, 1979-91.
Recreations: sailing, swimming, biking, hiking.
Address: PO Box 31-240, Milford, Auckland.