David Harris (South African businessman)
Colonel Sir David Harris | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Parliament for Kimberley | |
| In office 1897–1929 | |
| Monarchs | Victoria (1897-1901) Edward VII (1901-1910) George V (1910-1929) |
| Preceded by | Barney Barnato |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 July 1852 London, England |
| Died | 23 September 1942 (aged 89–90) Kimberley, South Africa |
| Relations | Barney Barnato (cousin) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War Xhosa Wars |
Colonel Sir David Harris KCMG (12 July 1852 - 23 September 1942) was a soldier, diamond magnate, and legislator.[1]
Early life
[edit]He was born in London, England, and emigrated to the Colony of Natal in 1871. He later traveled 950 km from Durban to Kimberley where he began working as a prospector. Within two years, he was wealthy and had made the acquaintance of Cecil Rhodes.
Career
[edit]Military service
[edit]He joined the Du Toit's Pan Horse Regiment in 1876 fought in the Gaika-Galeka war (part of the Xhosa Wars in the Eastern Cape. He also fought in other campaigns and distinguished himself in the Langeberg Rebellion (1896-97).
He served in the Home Guard during the Siege of Kimberley.
Member of Parliament
[edit]In 1897, he joined the Parliament of the Cape of Good Hope on the death of Barney Barnato. He held the seat for 32 years.[2] In 1897, he also became a director of De Beers Consolidated Mines, an office he held until 1931.
Personal life
[edit]Harris married his wife, Rosa Gabriel, in 1873, in the first Jewish wedding to take place in Kimberley.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ de Kock, W. J. (1968). Dictionary of South African biography: Vol I. Pretoria: Human Sciences Research Council. p. 351.
- ^ "A Jewish Pioneer of South Africa: Colonel Sir David Harris Grand Old Man" of South African Jewry". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 4 November 1931. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ Hotz, Luis. "Harris, Sir David | Encyclopedia.com". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 3 April 2021.