Roualeyn Gordon Cumming of Altyre

The Lion Hunter of South Africa

Published: Macmillan, 1904

Edition: New edition

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John Murray, 1904, eighth edition, illustrated, 140 x 210mm, condition: good.

Roualeyn George Gordon-Cumming (1820-1866), known as the "Lion Hunter" had his first taste of sport in Africa in 1838 when he passed through the Cape on his way to India to become a Cornet in the Madras Cavalry. He transferred to the Cape Mounted Rifles in 1843 but to be free, cashiered out and with an ox wagon and a few native followers set out for the interior. He hunted chiefly in Bechuanaland and the valley of the Limpopo River, regions then swarming with big game.

The story of his remarkable exploits is vividly told in his book, 'Five Years of a Hunter: Life in the Far Interior of South Africa.' The book is a boldly descriptive record of courage and perseverance. One critic comments, ' his volume, written in the romantic British style, is one that will always remain a classic in the world of sporting literature'. David Livingstone, who furnished Gordon-Cumming with most of his native guides, wrote,' I have no hesitation in saying that Mr. Cumming's book conveys a truthful idea of South African hunting.'

His collection of hunting trophies was exhibited in London in 1851 at the Great Exhibition. The collection is known as The South Africa Museum. According to his own account, Cumming would tackle any animal, using his bare hands if necessary. He once plunged into a pool containing a wounded hippopotamus, cut notches into its flank with his knife and passed leather thongs through the loops thus formed. With the aid of his men he was able to drag it to the land. Even an enormous 4,27 meter python which he discovered retreating into a mass of rocks could not (allegedly) escape the hunter: seizing him by the tail he tried to get him out of his place of refuge. Trophies of his kills were carefully preserved with alum and arsenical soap, a process often carried out under the most trying climatic conditions.

An abridgment of his book was published in 1856 under the title of 'The Lion Hunter of South Africa', and in this form was reprinted, with this new edition appearing in 1904.

Livingstone, who supplied the author with guides, wrote; 'I have no hesitation in saying that Cumming conveys a truthful idea of South African hunting' (Missionary Travels, chapter VII).

  • Overall Condition: Good
  • Size: 140 x 210mm


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