Reminiscences of General Botha

Susanna E. Hansmeyer was born at Ourest, a farm near Greytown, Natal, on 5 August 1849, the second daughter of Louis Botha (1829-1885) and Salomina Adriana, née von Rooyen (1831-1887). She was one of thirteen children, who included General Louis Botha (1862-1919).

An undated translation of a pamphlet of reminiscences of General Botha by his friends and relations, beginning with a piece by his sister, Mrs S.E. Hansmeyer. The translation was made from Afrikaans by Mrs E.X. Brain at the instance of Dr Killie Campbell. The volume is accompanied by a note listing the contributors and other details, supplied by the Killie Campbell Africana Library, University of Natal, 19 November 1970, and by correspondence of D.H. Simpson, R.C.S. Librarian, 1970, regarding the collection.

The volume was presented to the R.C.S. around 1950. A note from the time of donation is with the collection, and describes the background to the accession: 'Knowing the Queen's great interest in Gen. Botha, Miss Campbell sent this copy to Her Majesty, who has read it, and it is at Her wish that it is now presented to the Library of the Royal Empire Society by Miss Campbell. This had been Miss Campbell's original purpose, but she thought the R.E.S. would like to know that Her Majesty had read the pamphlet, and also wished it to be added to the Africana in the R.E.S. Library.'

Please cite as Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library, Reminiscences of General Botha, RCMS 207

The original pamphlet was published in Pretoria in 1920, edited by Gustav Schoeman Preller (1875-1943), who was attached to the newspaper 'Volkstem'.

Donald H. Simpson, ed., 'The manuscript catalogue of the library of the Royal Commonwealth Society' (London, 1975), p. 115. Indexed

This collection level description was created by RAS.