Cecil Rhodes: A Complex Legacy of Racism and Influence

Cecil Rhodes, a name synonymous with British imperialism, funded Irish Home Rule in a surprising turn of historical events. In 1888, the mining magnate, who never visited Ireland, sent a donation of £10,000 (approximately €1 million today) to Charles Stewart Parnell, with a stipulation: some Irish MPs must remain at Westminster even after establishing a parliament in Dublin. This collaboration is one of many points explored in William Kelleher Storey‘s biography, *The Colonialist*, which examines Rhodes’s impact and legacy.

Storey argues that Rhodes’s financial support for Ireland was part of a larger vision. He sought to create a federal parliament in London that included representation from all British colonies. Rhodes viewed Ireland as a “stalking horse” in his quest for a federation that would ensure the empire’s continued existence. This perspective is crucial to understanding both Rhodes’s actions and the broader implications of colonial ambitions.

The biography provides a detailed account of Rhodes’s life, marking the first comprehensive exploration of his legacy in nearly four decades. Rhodes has faced increasing condemnation as a figure embodying greed, white supremacy, and the foundations of apartheid in South Africa. The ongoing Rhodes Must Fall movement continues to campaign for the removal of his statues from university campuses he once funded, reflecting the contentious nature of his legacy.

Storey does not shy away from the uncomfortable truths surrounding Rhodes. While he was undoubtedly a virulent racist, his motivations were complex. The author emphasizes the need to contextualize Rhodes’s actions rather than simply condemn them. The book meticulously details how a sickly boy from a Hertfordshire vicarage became the prime minister of the Cape Colony and built the De Beers diamond company into a lucrative monopoly.

Storey illustrates Rhodes’s peculiar personality through anecdotes. For instance, his nanny sometimes found him moaning in hidden corners, unable to articulate his feelings. Despite his immense wealth, Rhodes preferred power over possessions, often dressing in the attire of a working man. His interactions with notable figures, including Queen Victoria, reveal a man both charming and duplicitous. When Victoria remarked on his apparent disdain for women, he cleverly replied, “How could I dislike a sex to which your majesty belongs?”

While Rhodes’s charisma is noted, Storey reveals a more devious side. In a notorious incident, he deceived King Lobengula into signing away gold mining rights in Matabeleland. When diplomacy failed, he resorted to military action, sanctioning a raid on the Boer republic in 1895 that ultimately tarnished his reputation.

Storey does not shy away from presenting Rhodes’s blatant racism. In a parliamentary speech, he expressed contempt for African people, referring to them as “children … just emerging from barbarism.” His policies systematically stripped black individuals of land and voting rights, exemplifying an ideology that sought to maintain white supremacy at all costs.

The biography goes beyond personal accounts to explore Rhodes’s extensive impact on Southern Africa’s infrastructure. Storey details how Rhodes transformed agriculture, railways, and urban development, shaping the region’s landscape. Some of these revelations are unsettling, particularly the brutal methods employed by mine owners to prevent workers from smuggling diamonds.

As a whole, *The Colonialist* offers a panoramic view of Rhodes’s influence, suggesting that a more fitting title might have been *The Life and Times of Cecil Rhodes*. Storey concludes with a stark warning: “It will be much easier to remove a few statues than to reverse the legacy of Cecil Rhodes. Understanding what he did is a first step to freedom.”

This biography serves as a reminder that the legacies of historical figures like Rhodes are complex and cannot be easily dismissed. As debates about colonialism and its impacts continue, Storey’s work invites readers to engage with Rhodes’s life in a thoughtful manner, recognizing both the influence he wielded and the harm he inflicted.