Cecil Rhodes

Cecil Rhodes was a British mining magnate and politician who founded Rhodesia and served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony.

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Birth Name :

Cecil John Rhodes

Profession :

Political Figure

Birthday :

July 5, 1853

Star Sign :

Cancer

Death Date:

March 26, 1902

Age :

48

Birthplace :

Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England

Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902) was a prominent British mining magnate, politician, and imperialist who significantly contributed to the expansion of the British Empire in Africa. As the founder of the De Beers diamond company, he amassed considerable wealth and became one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Rhodes played a crucial role in establishing the southern African territory of Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe, and his legacy includes the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, which supports exceptional students to study at the University of Oxford. Additionally, he oversaw the construction of the Rhodes Memorial in Cape Town, South Africa.

Rhodes’ notable achievements also encompass his vision of a railway connecting Cape Town to Cairo, his efforts to unite the Boers and the British under the British flag, and his aspiration to reclaim the American colonies for the British Empire. A fervent believer in the concept of a secret society called the Society of the Elect, Rhodes aimed to bring the entire world under British rule. He believed that English-speaking people had a divine right to govern the world and considered them the superior race.

In recent years, there have been protests and demands for the removal of Cecil Rhodes’ statue due to his imperialist views and actions. Critics argue that his legacy symbolizes a dark chapter in history that should not be celebrated.