Biography

William Evans 1874 – 1942

Fanny Monk was born in England and came to Dunedin as a girl. In 1902 she married the surgeon William Evans. They both loved music and took part in various Dunedin musical societies. Fanny had a fine contralto voice and sang with the Dunedin Choral Society for many years. William died in 1943 and left a large bequest to the university, stipulating that it should partly be used for the support of music. Fanny lived until 1971 and saw the Fanny Evans Scholarship being used to enable post graduate music students to study overseas. William Evans’s name was given to a visiting fellowship, and to three music lectureships in the university’s Music Department.

Sources:
ES, 3 July 1971
Southern People

William Evans was born on 17 July 1874 at Blue Spur, Otago. His parents were William and Margaret Evans (Burial Register Nos. 9696 and 14223). William attended Lawrence school, from 1879 until 1890 when he moved with his family to Dunedin. He attended Otago Boys High School from 1890 to 1892 then continued his studies at the University of Otago. In 1895 he travelled to England where he completed his medical qualifications. He returned to Dunedin in 1900 to practice medicine as a GP. He married Fanny Monk (Burial Register No. 752) on 5 November 1902. William and Fanny had no children. Upon his death he left a large bequest to the University of Otago to fund fellowships and scholarships in his name and Fanny’s.