Back to search results
Name: RODD, James Rennell GCB, GCMG, GCVO, Sir
Birth Date: 9.11.1858 London
Death Date: 26.7.1941 Shanley Green, Surrey
Nationality: British
First Date: 1892
Profession: Acting Commissioner at Zanzibar 1893
Area: Zanzibar
Married: In London 27 Oct 1894 Lilias Georgina Guthrie b. Oct 1864 Marylebone, d. 20 Sep 1951 Marylebone
Children: Francis James Rennell (25 Oct 1895 London-15 Mar 1978 Presteigne); Christopher John (26 Oct 1896 London-1896); Evelyn Violet Elizabeth (18 Mar 1899-10 Oct 1980 Worthing); Gloria Ellinor (Elwes) (31 Dec 1901 Marylebone-1975 Brighton); Peter Murray Rennell (16 Apr 1904 Marylebone-17 July 1968 Malta); Gustaf Guthrie Rennell (13 July 1905 London-26 June 1974 Guildford)
Author: 'Social & Diplomatic Memories 1884-95' 1922
Book Reference: Permanent Way, Debrett, North
School: Haileybury and Balliol College, Oxford
General Information:
Debrett - entered Diplomatic Service 1883, became 3rd Sec. at Berlin 1885, a 2nd Sec. 1888, and Sec. 1898; was 2nd Sec. at Athens 1888-91, at Rome 1891-2, at Paris 1892-4, and Sec. Councillor to Embassy at Rome 1901-4, Envoy Extror. and Min. Plen. to Stockholm 1904-8, and Ambassador Extraor. and Plen. to Italy 1908-19; acted as Agent and Consul.-Gen. at Zanzibar Jan. to Oct. 1893, and served with second Witu Expedition; went on a Special Mission to King Menelik of Abyssinia 1897 (2nd class Star of Ethiopia, Com. of the Osmanieh, CB); appointed a Member of International Exhibitions Roy. Commn. 1909, and an Hon. Member of Academy of St. Luke, Rome 1910 etc. Etc.
North - Appt. Acting Consul-General Zanzibar when Sir Gerald Portal went to Uganda Jan 1893; accompanied military operation to Witu Aug 1893
Frederick Jackson, Early Days in East Africa, 1930 He was a brilliant young diplomatist who had no previous experience in colonial affairs, It fell to his lot to give the coup de grace to Simba and Fuma Omari in Witu and his personal bearing during the expedition excited the admiration of all sections of men under his command. It was a great test for a young man brought up in the comfort of European courts to be suddenly faced with the real hardships of the African jungle, but though undoubtedly pioneer life was not to his choice, he faced all the difficulties with an admirable calmness and courtesy, quietly smoking his pipe under fire while he watched the naval brigade blow up the stockades of Witu (1893).
Back to search results
