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Deneys Reitz was born in Bloemfontein, the capital of the independent Boer Republic of the Orange Free State (OFS) on April 2, 1882. After fighting in the Second Boer War (1899-1902), he refused to swear allegiance to the British Empire, and chose exile on the French-ruled island of Madagascar, which lies off Africa's east coast. After failing to establish himself in Madagascar, he returned to South Africa in 1907, having been invited by his commander and friend, former Boer General Jan Smuts. He went on to found a highly successful law firm, still in existence to the present day, and served with distinction in the Union of South Africa Defence Force in the campaigns in German South West Africa, and on the Western Front in France. Elected to Parliament in 1929, he became deputy Prime Minister of South Africa under Jan Smuts in 1939. As Smuts was often absent from the country during the war years, Reitz was effectively in charge of South Africa during these absences, and for much of the time even when Smuts was back. By 1943, however, his health had failed, and he was given the less demanding post of ambassador to Britain. He died in October 1944. Jan Christiaan Smuts (1870-1950) was born in the British-ruled Cape Colony. He studied law at Christ's College, Cambridge, England, and upon his return to South Africa, he set up a law practice in Pretoria. There he became a citizen of the independent Boer South African Republic (also known as the Transvaal). He soon became a trusted advisor of ZAR President Paul Kruger, and served as State Attorney. Following the outbreak of the war, he served as an officer in a commando unit, as described in this book. After that war, he remained in South Africa, and helped negotiate self-government for the Transvaal Colony, becoming a cabinet minister in that colony under its leader, General Louis Botha. Smuts went on to play a leading role in the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, and as Minister of Defence, led South Africa's participation in World War I on Britain's side. Elected Prime Minister in 1939, he once again led South Africa once again into war on Britain's side during the Second World War, and was appointed as a British field marshal in 1941. His international stature was such that in 1945, he was a co-signatory to the United Nations Charter. At home, however, his popularity declined, and in the general election of 1948, he was defeated by a rejuvenated National Party. Smuts retired from politics, and died two years later, aged 80.
The Enlightenment's Most Dangerous...
Émilie du Châtelet and the Making...
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