Cecil Rhodes: The Man Behind the Statues

by Kevin Shillington

This brief and well-illustrated account of the life of Cecil Rhodes by a renowned historian of Africa is essential reading for anyone interested in the debate on historical statues. Is their removal an attempt to ‘erase history’ or their retention a denial of the reality of the history of Empire? It separates myth from historical fact and answers the Who was Cecil Rhodes? How did he acquire his great wealth and political power? And, most importantly, what did he do with that power that even in his own lifetime aroused such pride among some and such condemnation from others?

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2021

About the author

Dr Kevin Shillington is an independent historian and biographer. He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London. His recent books include History of Africa, 4th edition (2019) and Patrick van Rensburg: Rebel, Visionary and Radical Educationalist (2020).