Today in History

1960 Barry Crump's novel A good keen man published

Barry Crump established himself as the iconic 'Kiwi bloke' before his death from a heart attack in 1996. His many books captured the humour and personalities of rural New Zealand. Crump appealed to many Kiwi males with his rough and rugged ways and established a reputation as a man's man, who could tell a great yarn.

His broad appeal, humour and unique down-to-earth style was recognised by Toyota when they used Crump in a series of successful TV advertisements promoting 4-wheel-drive utility vehicles. Crump, with his rugged ‘she’ll be right’ attitude, was counter-posed with the city slicker Lloyd Scott in pulling off a number of daring feats while driving the ute.

While he inspired many Kiwi blokes, others criticised Crump for what they saw as the less-endearing aspects of the ‘good keen man’. He married five times and fathered nine children to four different women but had little to do with most of these children. He converted to the Baha'i faith later in his life. 

Image: cover of A good keen man (Te Ara )