Baxter, James K. (1926-1972), was a gifted New Zealand poet. His poetry shows his intense loyalty to New Zealand, though he frequently criticized its social institutions. Baxter's later poetry collections apply Christian and classical mythology to examine religion's place in society. These collections include The Fallen House (1953), Iron Breadboard (1957), In the Fires of No Return (1958), and Pig Island Letters (1966). He wrote an acclaimed work of literary criticism, Recent Trends in New Zealand Poetry (1951). His lectures were collected in The Man on Horseback (1967). The lectures analyze the vocation of the poet from a New Zealand perspective.