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Legacy: Cecil Rhodes, the Rhodes Trust and Rhodes Scholarships
To be chosen as a Rhodes Scholar is to join the company of a highly select group: former scholars include presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors, archbishops, authors, judges, and other important figures. Over 7,000 individuals have received the world’s most prestigious scholarship in the century since Cecil John Rhodes, the British-born founder of the De Beers diamond company, established through his will the Rhodes Trust and Rhodes scholarships. This fascinating history traces the evolution of the Trust and its scholarship program from Rhodes’s vision in 1902 to the new world of the twenty-first century.
Rhodes specified the criteria for selecting scholars, stipulating public service as their highest aim. An avowed imperialist, he dreamed of a white masculine Anglo-Saxon hegemony that would lead to world peace and prosperity. The book explores how the organization changed after the Empire faded and how Rhodes’s vision has been made relevant today, particularly through the vital contributions of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation in South Africa.
Prominent American Rhodes Scholars include:
J. William Fulbright – Robert Penn Warren – Bill Bradley – Wesley Clark – Bill Clinton – Strobe Talbott – David Souter – George Stephanopoulos
Rhodes specified the criteria for selecting scholars, stipulating public service as their highest aim. An avowed imperialist, he dreamed of a white masculine Anglo-Saxon hegemony that would lead to world peace and prosperity. The book explores how the organization changed after the Empire faded and how Rhodes’s vision has been made relevant today, particularly through the vital contributions of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation in South Africa.
Prominent American Rhodes Scholars include:
J. William Fulbright – Robert Penn Warren – Bill Bradley – Wesley Clark – Bill Clinton – Strobe Talbott – David Souter – George Stephanopoulos
- GenresBiography
400 pages, Hardcover
First published June 10, 2008
2 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Philip Ziegler
78 books41 followersPhilip Ziegler was a British biographer and historian known for his meticulously researched works on historical figures and events. After studying at Eton and New College, Oxford, he served in the British Foreign Service, with postings in Laos, South Africa, Colombia, and NATO. He later transitioned into publishing and writing, eventually becoming a distinguished biographer.
His notable works include Mountbatten: The Official Biography, Edward VIII: The Official Biography, and The Black Death. He also wrote about figures such as Lord Melbourne, Harold Wilson, and George VI. Over the years, Ziegler contributed to major publications like The Spectator, The Times, and History Today.
His personal life was marked by tragedy when his first wife was killed during a home invasion in Bogotá in 1967. He later remarried and continued his literary career until his passing in 2023 at the age of 93.
His notable works include Mountbatten: The Official Biography, Edward VIII: The Official Biography, and The Black Death. He also wrote about figures such as Lord Melbourne, Harold Wilson, and George VI. Over the years, Ziegler contributed to major publications like The Spectator, The Times, and History Today.
His personal life was marked by tragedy when his first wife was killed during a home invasion in Bogotá in 1967. He later remarried and continued his literary career until his passing in 2023 at the age of 93.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 23, 2008
This is an interesting book for anyone interested in philanthropy, Rhodes Scholarships, light South African history, and more. The book chronicles the growth of the scholarships rather than serving as a biography of Cecil Rhodes. In that capacity it describes how the scholarship allocations have changed over the last century, the selection criteria, the careers and influence of some imminent scholars, and the influence on Fulbright and the broader field of education.
Well written and worth the read for anyone interested in the above topics.
Well written and worth the read for anyone interested in the above topics.
February 25, 2025
Philip Ziegler’s Legacy: Cecil Rhodes, The Rhodes Trust and the Rhodes Scholarships (2008) is a comprehensive examination of Cecil Rhodes’s vision, the establishment of the Rhodes Trust, and the evolving impact of the Rhodes Scholarships. As an accomplished biographer and historian, Ziegler is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of Rhodes’s legacy, offering a balanced analysis that neither wholly condemns nor wholly exonerates his subject. The book provides valuable insights into how Rhodes’s ambitions shaped one of the world’s most prestigious scholarship programs, while also addressing the controversies surrounding his imperialist ideology and its implications for modern historical interpretation.
Ziegler’s central argument revolves around the dual nature of Rhodes’s legacy—his commitment to education and leadership development through the Rhodes Scholarships, juxtaposed with his role in British imperial expansion, particularly in southern Africa. The book seeks to understand Rhodes as a historical figure without succumbing to presentist moral judgments, while also acknowledging the ethical complexities of his actions. Ziegler does not attempt to rehabilitate Rhodes’s reputation but instead presents a nuanced view of his motivations and their long-term consequences.
A key strength of Legacy lies in its exploration of the Rhodes Trust’s evolution. While founded in Rhodes’s vision of fostering Anglo-American leadership and imperial unity, the Trust has adapted significantly over time, expanding its scope to include scholars from diverse backgrounds and reinterpreting its mission to reflect contemporary values. Ziegler highlights the ways in which the Trust has had to navigate the tensions between its origins and its present commitments to inclusivity and global leadership.
The book is divided into three broad sections: an overview of Rhodes’s life and ambitions, the establishment and administration of the Rhodes Trust, and an examination of the impact of the Rhodes Scholarships. Ziegler employs a historical narrative approach, drawing on archival materials, personal correspondence, and institutional records to provide a detailed account of how the Trust has functioned over the past century.
One of Ziegler’s methodological strengths is his engagement with both biographical and institutional history, weaving together Rhodes’s personal story with the broader development of the Trust. However, while the book is well-researched, it tends to focus more on the administrative history of the Rhodes Trust rather than critically engaging with broader historiographical debates on empire, race, and postcolonial memory.
Ziegler’s work contributes to the historiography of British imperialism, philanthropy, and educational institutions. While previous studies have examined Rhodes’s political and economic activities, Legacy provides a rare institutional history of the Rhodes Trust and its scholarships, offering insights into how historical legacies are maintained, challenged, and adapted. The book aligns with scholarship on the history of elite educational institutions and the politics of philanthropy, intersecting with broader debates on how institutions founded in colonial contexts navigate their contemporary roles.
Ziegler also implicitly engages with the concept of historical memory—how Rhodes’s image has been shaped by different generations and how institutions bearing his name have responded to shifting perceptions. This is particularly relevant in light of recent movements, such as Rhodes Must Fall, which have called for the decolonization of education and questioned the continued commemoration of imperial figures. While Ziegler does not fully engage with these debates, his work provides essential background for understanding why they have emerged.
Despite its strengths, Legacy has some limitations. While Ziegler acknowledges the problematic aspects of Rhodes’s imperial vision, he often adopts a detached tone that may seem insufficiently critical given the historical and ethical weight of Rhodes’s actions. His treatment of colonial violence and racial hierarchies, while not dismissive, is somewhat understated. A more explicit engagement with postcolonial critiques would have strengthened the book’s analytical depth.
Additionally, the book’s focus on the administration of the Rhodes Trust, while informative, occasionally comes at the expense of a deeper exploration of the experiences of Rhodes Scholars themselves. A more thorough analysis of how recipients have interpreted and navigated the legacy of their scholarships, particularly scholars from formerly colonized nations, would have enriched the study.
Philip Ziegler’s Legacy: Cecil Rhodes, The Rhodes Trust and the Rhodes Scholarships is a well-researched and informative account of how one of the world’s most prestigious scholarship programs emerged from the ambitions of a controversial imperialist. While the book provides a valuable institutional history, it sometimes lacks a more critical engagement with the ethical and political implications of Rhodes’s legacy. Nevertheless, it serves as an important resource for scholars interested in the intersections of philanthropy, education, and imperial history. Given the ongoing debates about the place of historical figures like Rhodes in public memory, Legacy remains a timely and significant contribution to historical scholarship.
GPT
Ziegler’s central argument revolves around the dual nature of Rhodes’s legacy—his commitment to education and leadership development through the Rhodes Scholarships, juxtaposed with his role in British imperial expansion, particularly in southern Africa. The book seeks to understand Rhodes as a historical figure without succumbing to presentist moral judgments, while also acknowledging the ethical complexities of his actions. Ziegler does not attempt to rehabilitate Rhodes’s reputation but instead presents a nuanced view of his motivations and their long-term consequences.
A key strength of Legacy lies in its exploration of the Rhodes Trust’s evolution. While founded in Rhodes’s vision of fostering Anglo-American leadership and imperial unity, the Trust has adapted significantly over time, expanding its scope to include scholars from diverse backgrounds and reinterpreting its mission to reflect contemporary values. Ziegler highlights the ways in which the Trust has had to navigate the tensions between its origins and its present commitments to inclusivity and global leadership.
The book is divided into three broad sections: an overview of Rhodes’s life and ambitions, the establishment and administration of the Rhodes Trust, and an examination of the impact of the Rhodes Scholarships. Ziegler employs a historical narrative approach, drawing on archival materials, personal correspondence, and institutional records to provide a detailed account of how the Trust has functioned over the past century.
One of Ziegler’s methodological strengths is his engagement with both biographical and institutional history, weaving together Rhodes’s personal story with the broader development of the Trust. However, while the book is well-researched, it tends to focus more on the administrative history of the Rhodes Trust rather than critically engaging with broader historiographical debates on empire, race, and postcolonial memory.
Ziegler’s work contributes to the historiography of British imperialism, philanthropy, and educational institutions. While previous studies have examined Rhodes’s political and economic activities, Legacy provides a rare institutional history of the Rhodes Trust and its scholarships, offering insights into how historical legacies are maintained, challenged, and adapted. The book aligns with scholarship on the history of elite educational institutions and the politics of philanthropy, intersecting with broader debates on how institutions founded in colonial contexts navigate their contemporary roles.
Ziegler also implicitly engages with the concept of historical memory—how Rhodes’s image has been shaped by different generations and how institutions bearing his name have responded to shifting perceptions. This is particularly relevant in light of recent movements, such as Rhodes Must Fall, which have called for the decolonization of education and questioned the continued commemoration of imperial figures. While Ziegler does not fully engage with these debates, his work provides essential background for understanding why they have emerged.
Despite its strengths, Legacy has some limitations. While Ziegler acknowledges the problematic aspects of Rhodes’s imperial vision, he often adopts a detached tone that may seem insufficiently critical given the historical and ethical weight of Rhodes’s actions. His treatment of colonial violence and racial hierarchies, while not dismissive, is somewhat understated. A more explicit engagement with postcolonial critiques would have strengthened the book’s analytical depth.
Additionally, the book’s focus on the administration of the Rhodes Trust, while informative, occasionally comes at the expense of a deeper exploration of the experiences of Rhodes Scholars themselves. A more thorough analysis of how recipients have interpreted and navigated the legacy of their scholarships, particularly scholars from formerly colonized nations, would have enriched the study.
Philip Ziegler’s Legacy: Cecil Rhodes, The Rhodes Trust and the Rhodes Scholarships is a well-researched and informative account of how one of the world’s most prestigious scholarship programs emerged from the ambitions of a controversial imperialist. While the book provides a valuable institutional history, it sometimes lacks a more critical engagement with the ethical and political implications of Rhodes’s legacy. Nevertheless, it serves as an important resource for scholars interested in the intersections of philanthropy, education, and imperial history. Given the ongoing debates about the place of historical figures like Rhodes in public memory, Legacy remains a timely and significant contribution to historical scholarship.
GPT
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews