Alfred Augustus Grace (1867–1942) was a prominent New Zealand educator, journalist, and author who achieved nationwide and international recognition for his literary depictions of Māori culture. Born in Auckland to missionary parents Thomas Samuel Grace and Agnes Fearing, Grace moved to England in 1875 to complete the majority of his education. Upon returning to New Zealand, he pursued a career in teaching while dedicating his spare time to writing fiction.
Grace's literary career began in earnest with the publication of Maoriland Stories in 1895, a collection of seven short stories. His work frequently explored Māori life and folklore, themes that defined much of his output. In 1901, he collaborated with the London publisher Chatto & Windus to release Tales of a Dying Race, expanding his readership to England and Australia.
Throughout the early twentieth century, Grace continued to publish actively in New Zealand, collaborating with publishers Gordon & Gotch. His notable later works included Folk Tales of the Maori (1907), Atareta, the Belle of the Kainga (1908), and Hone Tiki Dialogues (1910). His final work of fiction, The Tale of Timber Town, was published in 1914, after which he retired from publishing creative literature. He passed away on March 18, 1942.
