James Henry Pope (11 September 1837 – 3 August 1913) was a New Zealand teacher, school inspector, educationalist, amateur astronomer and writer.
He was large, untidy, apparently vague in manner, and considered to be unconventional in his methods, but he knew everything that went on in the classroom and kept strict order.
He transferred to the Otago Girls' High School in 1873, where the principal, Margaret Burn, regarded him as her right-hand man.
He continued to be dogged by ill health, and retired at the end of the year, highly esteemed by staff and students alike.
He is remembered for the reading primers he wrote for the native school pupils and for his reader on Māori health and sanitation, "Health for the Māori: A Manual for Use in Native Schools", to be used later as a basis for the marae campaigns of Āpirana Ngata, Reweti Kohere and Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana.
The farewell statement concludes, "...we, the teachers in these schools are compelled reluctantly to bid you farewell.It is no exaggeration to say that your benevolence, your matured wisdom, and your absolute justice have built up between us a relationship quite unique in its paternal character as well as in its warmth and extent".
William Renwick in his biography wrote,[1] "All references to James Henry Pope mention his modesty, the breadth of his sympathies, the range of his interests and his considerable talents.
He was, Rēweti Kōhere wrote, 'of a lovable nature and so perfectly transparent that he won your respect and confidence on your first meeting.'
He was also one among a handful of men who shaped the direction of public education in this country and left a valued personal stamp on its ethos".