Colonel Sir David Harris KCMG (12 July 1852 - 23 September 1942) was a soldier, diamond magnate, and legislator.[1]
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 |
Early life
editHe 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
editMilitary service
editHe 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
editIn 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
editHarris 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.