Jan Smuts
Jan Smuts, (1870-1950). South African soldier and statesman. A former lawyer, he fought the British during the Boer War (1899-1902) but in the following years sought reconciliation with Britain. Together with Louis Botha he formed the Union of South Africa (1910), later becoming the country’s prime minister (1919-24; 1939-48). He was largely responsible for South Africa’s involvement in World War II. Smuts also published his philosophical writings.
