Matabele Jim: The Journal of an Early White Settler in Rhodesia

Extract

Rhodes House Library has recently acquired a typescript of the journal of “Matabele Jim” Archer Burton (1850-1922) who went out to southern Africa in 1894 to trade with the Matabele and the Mashona and to prospect for gold. There he became involved with Cecil Rhodes’ Chartered Company, and during the rebellion in Mashonaland in 1896 he took part in the Mazoe Valley action, being shot through the face at close range, a wound he was lucky to survive and which left his face disfigured for the rest of his life. He was evacuated to England for hospital treatment, but returned to Rhodesia in 1898, finally leaving the country for the last time in 1901. The original journal, illustrated with pen and ink sketches of great clarity, remains in the possession of Archer Burton's son, but is also destined for eventual deposit at Rhodes House.