Sam Anderson was born in Ollaberry in Shetland in 1887. As a young man he was employed as a barman and policeman in Lerwick, and joined the British Socialist Party. He lived in Vancouver from 1912-14. He joined the warship HMS Avoca in 1916 for service in South America. With his wife Mona Tait (b. Orkney, 1903), and his cousin Peter S. Williamson from Gluss, Shetland (1909-85) he bought a farm in Willoughby Road, Kati Kati, Bay of Plenty New Zealand, and moved there in July 1944. in New Zealand he produced his self-printed newsletter The HoraHora Kingfisher. He remained interested in socialism throughout his life, and kept in touch with Shetland culture. He was a contributor to the New Shetlander magazine. He died at Kati Kati in 1975.