Cecil Rhodes

Cecil John Rhodes (July 5, 1853 – March 26, 1902) was an English businessman and the effective founder of the state of Rhodesia (which was named after him). Rhodesia (later Northern and Southern Rhodesia) eventually became Zambia and Zimbabwe. Rhodes profited greatly from Southern Africa's natural resources, proceeds of which founded the Rhodes Scholarship upon his death.

England

Cecil Rhodes was born in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, the fifth son of Francis William Rhodes and his second wife, Louisa Peacock. A priest of the Church of England, his father served as curate of Brentwood, Essex for fifteen years, until 1849, when he became the vicar of Bishop's Stortford, where he remained until 1876. Rhodes had nine brothers and two sisters and attended the grammar school at Bishop's Stortford. He fell ill shortly after leaving school and, as his lungs were affected, it was decided that he should visit his brother who had recently emmigrated to Natal. He arrived in Durban on 1 September 1870. He brought £3000 his aunt had lent him and used it to invest in diamond diggings in Kimberley.

Related Topics:
Bishop's Stortford - Hertfordshire - Church of England - Curate - Brentwood, Essex - 1849 - Vicar - 1876 - Natal - Durban - 1 September - 1870 - Diamond - Kimberley

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