David Harris (South African businessman) explained

David Harris
Office:Member of the Parliament for Kimberley
Birth Date:12 July 1852
Death Place:Kimberley, South Africa
Birth Place:London, England
Honorific Prefix:Colonel Sir
Rank:Colonel
Relations:Barney Barnato (cousin)
Battles:Second Boer War
Xhosa Wars
Termend:1929
Termstart:1897
Predecessor:Barney Barnato

Colonel Sir David Harris (12 July 1852 - 23 September 1942) was a soldier, diamond magnate, and legislator.[1]

Early life

He 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

Military service

He 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

In 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

Harris married his wife, Rosa Gabriel, in 1873, in the first Jewish wedding to take place in Kimberley.[3]

References

Notes and References

  1. Book: de Kock, W. J.. Dictionary of South African biography: Vol I. Human Sciences Research Council. 1968. Pretoria. 351.
  2. News: 4 November 1931. A Jewish Pioneer of South Africa: Colonel Sir David Harris Grand Old Man" of South African Jewry. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 18 March 2021.
  3. Web site: Hotz. Luis. Harris, Sir David Encyclopedia.com. 3 April 2021. Encyclopedia.com.