Cecil Rhodes Quotes

A collection of quotes by Cecil Rhodes.

Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902) was a British businessman, imperialist, and politician known for his role in expanding British rule in southern Africa during the late 19th century. Born in Bishop's Stortford, England, Rhodes showed early promise as a student, eventually attending the University of Oxford before moving to South Africa in 1870 to pursue a career in diamond mining.

Rhodes quickly amassed great wealth by exploiting South Africa's diamond resources, allowing him to establish the De Beers Mining Company, which would go on to dominate the global diamond trade. With his newfound fortune, he became deeply involved in British politics and played a pivotal role in establishing British control over territories that would later become modern-day Zimbabwe and Zambia, which were then known as Rhodesia.

Rhodes' legacy is complex and controversial. On one hand, he is celebrated for his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of the Rhodes Scholarships for students to study at the University of Oxford. On the other hand, he was a staunch proponent of British imperialism, advocating for the spread of British influence and control across Africa. His actions and policies have been heavily criticized for their negative impact on indigenous populations and for promoting racial discrimination.

Cecil Rhodes passed away in 1902 at the age of 48, but his imprint on African history and British imperialism remains significant to this day.