Ann Trotter

Trotter taught history and social studies at Epsom Girls' Grammar School from 1959 to 1968, where she influenced Helen Clark, later prime minister of New Zealand.^[1] She left to study in England, completing a Master of Arts degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies, followed by a PhD at the London School of Economics, where her research focussed on Asian history.^[2]

In 1973, Trotter returned to New Zealand to lecture in Asian history at the University of Otago, rising to become a full professor in 1993.^[2][3] She served as pro vice-chancellor at the University of Otago from 1993 to 1997, the first woman to fill this role.^[2]

Trotter was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 1997 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to historical research.^[4] She retired from the University of Otago in 1998, receiving the title of emeritus professor, and moved to Wellington.^[3][5]

Trotter died in Wellington on 14 July 2022.^[6]

• Trotter, Ann (1975). Britain and East Asia, 1933–1937. London: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-20475-5. OCLC 1322250.
• Trotter, Ann (1990). New Zealand and Japan, 1945–1952 : the occupation and the peace treaty. London: Athlone Press. ISBN 0-485-11398-8. OCLC 21482828.
• Trotter, Ann (2003). Mary Potter's Little Company of Mary : the New Zealand experience, 1914-2002. Little Company of Mary. Wellington [N.Z.]: Bridget Williams Books. ISBN 1-877242-31-4. OCLC 71241610.