MALVERN (OF RHODESIA AND OF BEXLEY), GODFREY (MARTIN) ...

born July 6, 1883, Bexley, Kent, Eng. died May 8, 1971, Salisbury, Rhodesia also called (194155) Sir Godfrey Huggins prime minister of Southern Rhodesia (193353) and architect of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which he served as its first prime minister (195356). After practicing medicine in London, Huggins migrated to Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, in 1911 for reasons of health and soon established a reputation as a surgeon. When Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing colony in 1923, Huggins was elected to the Legislative Council. In 1933 his Reform Party won about half of the Assembly seats, and he became prime minister and also secretary of native affairs (until 1949). He was knighted in 1941. His scheme to unite the two Rhodesias (Northern and Southern) and Nyasaland was finally realized in 1953, and a decisive victory at the polls by the Federal Party confirmed his premiership. He was created a viscount in 1955.