David Christopher Thorns (26 August 1943 – 25 December 2020) was a New Zealand sociologist, particularly known for his work on urban and suburban sociology.
Early life and family
Born in
County Durham
County Durham ( ), officially simply Durham,UK General Acts 1997 c. 23Lieutenancies Act 1997 Schedule 1(3). From legislation.gov.uk, retrieved 6 April 2022. is a ceremonial county in North East England.North East Assembly About North East E ...
, England, in 1943, Thorns graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts in economics from the
University of Sheffield and a
Master of Arts degree from the
University of Exeter.
In 1966, Thorns married Gloria Kathleen Corrigan, and the couple went on to have two children.
Career
After eight years as a lecturer in sociology at the University of Exeter, Thorns moved to the
University of Auckland where he was appointed as a senior lecturer in sociology in 1974.
He subsequently moved in 1977 to the
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury ( mi, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha; postnominal abbreviation ''Cantuar.'' or ''Cant.'' for ''Cantuariensis'', the Latin name for Canterbury) is a public research university based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was ...
, where he remained for the rest of his career, rising to the rank of full professor.
When he retired, he was conferred the title of
professor emeritus. Thorns was awarded a
Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Canterbury in 1982.
Regarded as one of New Zealand's leading social scientists, Thorns was noted for his work in urban and regional sociology, investigating themes including suburbia, the sociology of housing and residential mobility, social inequality, urban sustainability, and globalisation and urban change.
Honours and awards
In 1995, Thorns was elected a
Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand,
and in 2002 he was awarded the University of Canterbury Research Medal.
In the
2009 New Year Honours
The New Year Honours 2009 were announced on 31 December 2008 in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Christopher and Nevis,Saint Christopher. to ...
, he was appointed an
Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to urban sociology.
Later life and death
Thorns' wife, Gloria, died in 2018.
Thorns died in
Christchurch on 25 December 2020.
Selected publications
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References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thorns, David
1943 births
2020 deaths
Alumni of the University of Sheffield
Alumni of the University of Exeter
Academics of the University of Exeter
English sociologists
English emigrants to New Zealand
New Zealand sociologists
University of Canterbury alumni
Academic staff of the University of Auckland
Academic staff of the University of Canterbury
Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit