born Feb. 9, 1853, Edinburgh, Scot.
died Nov. 26, 1917, London, Eng.
British administrator in southern Africa.
As Cecil Rhodes 's representative, Jameson successfully negotiated mineral concessions in Matabeleland and Mashonaland (present-day Zimbabwe) before becoming the first administrator of the new colony of Rhodesia in 1893. In 1895 Rhodes and Jameson plotted with Uitlander (British) leaders in the Transvaal to overthrow the Boer government of Paul Kruger ; the original plan was postponed, but Jameson carried out his own invasion and was quickly captured with all his men. After imprisonment in England, he returned to participate in South African politics.