J C Smuts

Jan Christiaan Smuts (1870-1950) was born in the British-ruled Cape Colony. He studied law at Christ's College, Cambridge, England, and upon his return to South Africa, he set up a law practice in Pretoria. There he became a citizen of the independent Boer South African Republic (also known as the Transvaal). He soon became a trusted advisor of ZAR President Paul Kruger, and served as State Attorney. Following the outbreak of the war, he served as an officer in a commando unit, as described in...See more

Jan Christiaan Smuts (1870-1950) was born in the British-ruled Cape Colony. He studied law at Christ's College, Cambridge, England, and upon his return to South Africa, he set up a law practice in Pretoria. There he became a citizen of the independent Boer South African Republic (also known as the Transvaal). He soon became a trusted advisor of ZAR President Paul Kruger, and served as State Attorney. Following the outbreak of the war, he served as an officer in a commando unit, as described in this book. After that war, he remained in South Africa, and helped negotiate self-government for the Transvaal Colony, becoming a cabinet minister in that colony under its leader, General Louis Botha. Smuts went on to play a leading role in the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, and as Minister of Defence, led South Africa's participation in World War I on Britain's side. Elected Prime Minister in 1939, he once again led South Africa once again into war on Britain's side during the Second World War, and was appointed as a British field marshal in 1941. His international stature was such that in 1945, he was a co-signatory to the United Nations Charter. At home, however, his popularity declined, and in the general election of 1948, he was defeated by a rejuvenated National Party. Smuts retired from politics, and died two years later, aged 80. See less