Burgers, Thomas Francois
1834 - Born on April 15th near Graaff-Reinet, Cape Colony (South Africa). The theologian and controversial president of the Transvaal.
1859 - Burgers returned to Cape Colony, where he became the minister of the Dutch Reformed Church in Hanover.
1871 - Burgers' eloquence and culture recommended him to influential Transvaalers seeking a successor to President Marthinus W. Pretorius, who had resigned.
1872 - Elected by a large majority, Burgers took office in July, but his sophisticated ideas in government, education, and religion soon antagonized the Boers.
1875 - To further his scheme to link the Transvaal by rail to Delagoa Bay, on the Indian Ocean, he traveled to Europe to raise money.
1877 - He allowed the British to annex the republic.
- Transvaal was annexed by a British government anxious to promote federation in South Africa.
- After delivering a feeble protest, a dispirited Burgers surrendered the republic to Sir Theophilus Shepstone and his annexing force of 25 policemen representing the British crown.
1881 - Died on December 9th in Richmond, Transvaal.
Page last updated: 12:44am, 07th Sep '07