Harry Escombe
Encyclopedia
Harry Escombe South Africa
n statesman, a member of a Somerset
shire family, was born at Notting Hill
, London, and was educated at St Paul's School.
After four years in a stockbroker's office, he emigrated, in 1859, to the Cape
. The following year he moved to Natal, and, after trying other occupations, qualified as an attorney
. He became recognized as the ablest pleader in the colony, and, in 1872, was elected for Durban
as a member of the legislative council, and subsequently was also placed on the executive council. In 1880 he secured the appointment of a harbour board for Natal, and was himself made chairman. The transformation of the port of Durban into a harbour available for ocean liners was as a result of his and Cathcart William Methven
's work.
In 1888-1889 he defended Dinizulu and other Zulu chiefs against a charge of high treason
. For several years he opposed the grant of responsible government to Natal, but by 1890 had become convinced of its desirability, and on its conferment in 1893 he joined the first ministry formed, serving under Sir John Robinson as attorney-general. In February 1897, on Sir John's retirement, Escombe became premier, remaining attorney-general and also holding the office of minister of education and minister of defence.
In the summer of that year he was in London
with the other colonial premiers at the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria
, and was made a member of the privy council. Cambridge University
conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. The election that followed his return to Natal proved unfavourable to his policy, and he was succeeded in office, in October 1897, by Sir Henry Binns
KCMG. Throughout his life he took an active interest in national defence. He had served in the Zulu War of 1879
, was commander of the Natal Naval Volunteers and received the volunteer long service decoration. In October 1899 he went to the northern confines of the colony to take part in preparing measures of defence against the invasion by the Boers.
The Speeches of the late Right Hon. Harry Escombe (Maritzburg, 1903), edited by JT Henderson, contains brief biographical notes by Sir John Robinson and the editor.
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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...
n statesman, a member of a Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
shire family, was born at Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
, London, and was educated at St Paul's School.
After four years in a stockbroker's office, he emigrated, in 1859, to the Cape
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, because it was once believed to be the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In fact, the...
. The following year he moved to Natal, and, after trying other occupations, qualified as an attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
. He became recognized as the ablest pleader in the colony, and, in 1872, was elected for Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
as a member of the legislative council, and subsequently was also placed on the executive council. In 1880 he secured the appointment of a harbour board for Natal, and was himself made chairman. The transformation of the port of Durban into a harbour available for ocean liners was as a result of his and Cathcart William Methven
Cathcart William Methven
Cathcart William Methven was Engineer-in-Chief at Greenock on the Clyde, and appointed in 1888 as Harbour Engineer in Durban. Besides being an architect and able musician, he was, unusually, a gifted landscape artist and produced many fine paintings of Natal scenery. He founded the Durban Art...
's work.
In 1888-1889 he defended Dinizulu and other Zulu chiefs against a charge of high treason
High treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
. For several years he opposed the grant of responsible government to Natal, but by 1890 had become convinced of its desirability, and on its conferment in 1893 he joined the first ministry formed, serving under Sir John Robinson as attorney-general. In February 1897, on Sir John's retirement, Escombe became premier, remaining attorney-general and also holding the office of minister of education and minister of defence.
In the summer of that year he was in 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...
with the other colonial premiers at the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
, and was made a member of the privy council. Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. The election that followed his return to Natal proved unfavourable to his policy, and he was succeeded in office, in October 1897, by Sir Henry Binns
Henry Binns
Sir Henry Binns, KCMG was Prime Minister of the Colony of Natal, South Africa from 5 October 1897 - 8 June 1899....
KCMG. Throughout his life he took an active interest in national defence. He had served in the Zulu War of 1879
Anglo-Zulu War
The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom.Following the imperialist scheme by which Lord Carnarvon had successfully brought about federation in Canada, it was thought that a similar plan might succeed with the various African kingdoms, tribal areas and...
, was commander of the Natal Naval Volunteers and received the volunteer long service decoration. In October 1899 he went to the northern confines of the colony to take part in preparing measures of defence against the invasion by the Boers.
The Speeches of the late Right Hon. Harry Escombe (Maritzburg, 1903), edited by JT Henderson, contains brief biographical notes by Sir John Robinson and the editor.
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