FOX, SIR WILLIAM (1812-93), New Zealand statesman, was born in England on June 9, 1812, and educated at Wadham college, Oxford. He was called to the bar in 1842, but immediately emigrated to New Zealand, where, in 1843, he became the New Zealand company's agent for the South Island. In 1848 Fox became attorney-general, but gave up the post to join in the agitation for a free constitution. In 185o he came to London as political agent to urge the demands of the Wellington settlers, but the Colonial Office refused to recognise him. When govern ment by responsible ministers was initiated in 18;6. Fox ousted the first ministry and formed a cabinet, holding office for 13 days. In 1861 he became premier for nearly 13 months, and in 1863 again took office with Sir Frederick Whitaker as premier. Fox's third premiership was from 1869 to 1872, and his fourth for five weeks in March–April 18 73. Soon afterwards he left politics, though he led the attack which overthrew Sir George Grey's ministry in 1879. He lost his seat in the dissolution which fol lowed in that year, and did not again enter parliament. He was an active champion of self-government for the New Zealand colonists, and laboured to secure their just rights for the Maori races, and to establish peace among the tribes. Sir William Fox was made K.C.M.G. in 1880. He died on June 23, He published The Six Colonies of New Zealand (1851) ; and The War in New Zealand (186o, later ed., 1866).