Lost Lion of Empire: The Life of 'Cape-to-Cairo' Grogan. - Review - book review

Contemporary Review, June, 2001

Lost Lion of Empire: The Life of 'Cape-to-Cairo' Grogan. Edward Paice. HarperCollins. [pound]19.88. 470 pages. ISBN 0-00-257003-3. Late Victorian England saw a new breed of adventurers, similar to those who had flourished under the first Elizabeth. The most easily remembered is, of course, Cecil Rhodes.

These men's adventures, when not climbing Alpine mountains, were centred on Africa and were tied up with the expansion of the Empire between South Africa and Egypt. One of the most famous in his day was Ewart Grogan, who almost steps out of the pages of a Boy's Own adventure story. Grogan became famous in 1900 when, accompanied only by native guides and porters, he travelled from Cape Town to Egypt. Grogan's adventures had begun earlier when he joined Rhodes' militia to put down a native uprising. Grogan then settled in British East Africa, later Kenya, where he became a leader among the British settlers. He established the first timber industry and built Mombasa's first deep-water port, first children's hospi tal and leading hotel. Grogan lived until 1967 and sadly witnessed the hand-over of power to native politicians who were, in his eyes, often unfit to govern. His criticisms of British 'de-colonisation', while unfashionable amongst left-wing thinkers, are probably nearer the truth. He led what is called an 'interesting' life and fathered many children, both legitimate and otherwise. This biography is told with great relish. The research is extensive. One minor point: clergymen should be referred to as 'the Revd Mr Petersen' and not, 'Revd Petersen'. (E.B.)