On This Day
08 April 1902
Death of John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley
Although largely unknown today, Kimberley was a fixture in Liberal Party politics for over 40 years, holding office in a succession of Liberal governments from Lord Aberdeen to Lord Rosebery. He held a number of cabinet posts including Colonial Secretary, Secretary of State for India and Foreign Secretary. After leaving government, Kimberley lead the Liberal Party in the House of Lords and served as Chancellor of the University of London. The town of Kimberley in South Africa is named after him.