Ruth Butterworth

Born in England, Butterworth studied at the University of Oxford, from where she graduated Master of Arts and, in 1959, DPhil.^[1][2][3] The title of her doctoral thesis was The structure and organisation of some Catholic lay organisations in Australia and Great Britain: a comparative study with special reference to the function of the organisations as social and political pressure groups.^[2]

Butterworth was appointed as a lecturer in political studies at the University of Auckland in 1965.^[3] She was a member of the Labour Party and in 1975 she was speculated by media as a likely contender for the Labour Party candidacy for the Onehunga electorate following the retirement of Hugh Watt, but did not put herself forward.^[4] She also taught African studies and trade unionism.^[1] Her teaching influenced students who became leading politicians, including Helen Clark and Phil Goff.^[1] She was a regular contributor to Zealandia, writing on topics including nuclear testing, the Vietnam war, and abortion.^[1]

Between 1990 and 1991, Butterworth served as president of the Association of University Staff of New Zealand.^[5]

In 1993, Butterworth was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal.^[6] In the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours, she was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to tertiary education.^[7]

Butterworth died in Auckland on 29 January 2020.^[8]

• Photograph of Butterworth in 1968. Oettli, Max Christian, 1947– :Photographs of New Zealand scenes. Ref: 35mm-101977-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington.