Charles Patrick John Coghlan
Encyclopedia
Sir Charles Patrick John Coghlan (24 June 1863 – 28 August 1927) was the first Premier of Southern Rhodesia
and held office from October 1, 1923 until his death on August 28, 1927.
Coghlan was born in King William's Town
in South Africa
and came to Rhodesia
in 1900 to practice in Bulawayo
as a lawyer. He was elected to the Legislative Council in the 1908 election
first for the Western Electoral District and sat as Member for Bulawayo
for 19 years.
Coghlan supported the renewal of the British South Africa Company
's Charter in 1914, and opposed amalgamation with either Northern Rhodesia
or South Africa
. In 1921, he led a delegation to London
to discuss responsible government, and in 1923, Southern Rhodesia was awarded the status of self-governing Colony within the British Empire
.
Coghlan was honored by his burial, near Cecil Rhodes's grave, at "World's View" in the Matopos Hills near Bulawayo.
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
and held office from October 1, 1923 until his death on August 28, 1927.
Coghlan was born in King William's Town
King William's Town
King William's Town is a town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa along the banks of the Buffalo River. The town is about 40 minutes' motorway drive WNW of the Indian Ocean port of East London...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and came to Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
in 1900 to practice in Bulawayo
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
as a lawyer. He was elected to the Legislative Council in the 1908 election
Southern Rhodesia Legislative Council election, 1908
The Southern Rhodesia Legislative Council election of April 24, 1908 was the fourth election to the Legislative Council of Southern Rhodesia. The Legislative Council had, since 1903, comprised seven members elected by registered voters from four electoral districts; in 1907 the number of members...
first for the Western Electoral District and sat as Member for Bulawayo
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
for 19 years.
Coghlan supported the renewal of the British South Africa Company
British South Africa Company
The British South Africa Company was established by Cecil Rhodes through the amalgamation of the Central Search Association and the Exploring Company Ltd., receiving a royal charter in 1889...
's Charter in 1914, and opposed amalgamation with either Northern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia was a territory in south central Africa, formed in 1911. It became independent in 1964 as Zambia.It was initially administered under charter by the British South Africa Company and formed by it in 1911 by amalgamating North-Western Rhodesia and North-Eastern Rhodesia...
or South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. In 1921, he led a delegation to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to discuss responsible government, and in 1923, Southern Rhodesia was awarded the status of self-governing Colony within the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
Coghlan was honored by his burial, near Cecil Rhodes's grave, at "World's View" in the Matopos Hills near Bulawayo.