Illness

Born in New Zealand, Professor Somerset began teaching in 1912 as a pupil teacher in Canterbury. Unfortunately, five years later he suffered an attack of Spondylitis which has left him crippled. This illness forced him to leave teaching for seven years.

Returning to teaching in 1923, he became secondary assistant at Oxford District High in Canterbury. About the same time he graduated from Canterbury University. He developed an interest in the place of education in the community. The school should be a source 01 education for more than the children. Accordingly he and his wife, whom he married in 1930, pioneered a system of Adult Education, with night classes that taught poetry, literature, drama and world affairs.

Later, a Carnegie travelling scholarship enabled him to study overseas community education. He visited the U.S., Canada, Britain and Denmark. On his return he became Director of the Fielding community centre, the first in New Zealand. Once again his wife gave support. He looks back with pride on the system which promoted the community's education through the High School.

His last appointment was Victoria, to which he came as Senior Lecturer in 1948. In 1958 he was made Associate-Professor.