Louis Botha
(1862-1919), General and South African statesman20th Century Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 8 portraits
Born of German descent near Natal (now in South Africa), Botha grew up in the Orange Free State and was educated at a German missionary school. In 1884 he served in the army, helping to found the New Republic in Zululand (now northern KwaZulu Natal). Botha became politically active when the New Republic became part of the South Africa Republic, winning election to parliament in 1897. At the outbreak of the South African War in 1899, he served as a General but was unable to restrain the droves of British reinforcements. Forced to negotiate by the British, he signed the Peace of Vereeniging treaty on 31 May 1902. In 1910 he became the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa. Under his party's administration he limited the political rights of black South Africans. In 1913, The Natives' Land Act was passed segregating land throughout the Union, forcing black South Africans to move from their homes to 'native reserves' which laid the foundations of apartheid.
by Unknown photographer
vintage print, 1901 or before
NPG P1700(59a)
General Officers of World War I
by John Singer Sargent
oil on canvas, 1922
On display in Room 31 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1954
by John Singer Sargent
pencil, circa 1922
NPG 2908(8)
by Sir James Guthrie
oil on canvas, 1924-1930
On display in Room 31 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2463
published by Ogden's
bromide cigarette card, published early 1900s
NPG x196285
by W. & D. Downey
bromide print, 1911
NPG x134960
published by James Valentine & Sons Ltd, after Frank Arthur Swaine, and Langfier Ltd, and Alexander Bassano, and Sport & General Press Agency Ltd, and James Russell & Sons
bromide postcard print, 1911 or after
NPG x197673
Louis Botha ('Men of the Day. No. 1068. "Uncle Louis."')
by 'ryg'
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 29 May 1907
NPG D45382
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.