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Cecil Rhodes

Historical Figure

Cecil Rhodes

1853–1902

British mining magnate and politician (1853–1902)

Victorian Era

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Key Dates

Biography

Cecil John Rhodes was a British mining magnate and politician in southern Africa who served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896. He and his British South Africa Company founded the southern African territory of Rhodesia, which the company named after him in 1895. He also devoted much effort to realizing his vision of a Cape to Cairo Railway through British territory. Rhodes set up the Rhodes Scholarship, which is funded by his estate.

Source: Wikipedia · Compiled March 2026 · AI-summarized

Timeline

1853
Birth

British founder of Rhodesia (d. 1902)

July 5 →
1888
Event

Rudd Concession granted by King Lobengula of Matabeleland to agents of Cecil Rhodes led by Charles Rudd.

October 30 →
1888
Event

The Rudd Concession is granted by Matabeleland to agents of Cecil Rhodes.

October 30 →
1902
Death

English-South African businessman and politician, 6th Prime Minister of the Cape Colony (b. 1853)

March 26 →

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