TRIUMPH TO TRAGEDY.
716 pages, black cloth gilt, dust jacket - back faded and chipped along the edges, top edge dyed red, leaf 645/6 incorrectly folded and trimmed in the original binding process, contents good.
Presentation inscription on the front free endpaper reads, \'To N.C. Havenga, from Winston Churchill, 1954.\'
Nicolaas Christiaan Havenga (born 1st May 1882, died 13th March, 1957), parliamentarian and Union cabinet minister. During the Boer War Havenga became a member of the Fauresmith Commando taking part in the battles of Belmont, Graspan and Modder River. After the fall of Pretoria in June 1900 he joined General J.B.M. Hertzog whom he served capably throughout the war in the course of which he was wounded three times. After the war he qualified and an attorney and prospered. A founder member of the National Party he represented the constituency of Fauresmith until 1941. He became Minister of Finance in 1924. By pursuing careful policies he saw the country through the worst of the Depression. He continued in this office until 1939 and later under D.F. Malan after 1948. As Minister of Finance he attended several international meetings and is it assumed met Churchill. His moderation made him more acceptable to those of other persuasions than were the large majority of his colleagues in the National Party. Winston Churchill’s remark about him was characteristic: ‘That man has more British bullets in his body than anyone else I know. He is riddled with British bullets, yet he bears us no animosity’. (From the Dictionary of South African Biography, volume iv, pages 215 – 222.)
- Jacket Condition: Fair
- Binding Condition: Good
- Overall Condition: Good
- Size: 8vo (215 x 145 mm)
- Sold By: Clarke's Africana & Rare Books
- Contact Person: Paul Mills
- Country: South Africa
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 021 794 0600
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