Thomas François Burgers
| Thomas François Burgers | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 4th State President of the South African Republic | |
|
In office 1 July 1872 – 12 April 1877 |
|
| Preceded by | M.W. Pretorius |
| Succeeded by | None (British annexation) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
15 April 1834 Langefontein, Graaff-Reinet, Cape Colony |
| Died | 9 December 1881 (aged 47) Richmond, Cape Colony |
| Resting place | Heroes' Acre, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Bryson (1836-1929) |
| Alma mater | Utrecht University |
| Occupation | Christian minister |
| Religion | Dutch Reformed |
Thomas François Burgers (15 April 1834 – 9 December 1881) was the 4th president of the South African Republic from 1872 to 1877. He was the youngest child of Barend and Elizabeth Burger of the farm Langefontein in the Camdeboo district of Graaff Reinet, Cape Colony.
After studying theology at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, Burgers became the parson of Hanover, South Africa in 1859. A charmingly eloquent, but fiercely individualistic man, he had been influenced by Professor C. W. Opzoomer in the Netherlands and embraced his rationalist, liberal ideas.
Burgers quickly became involved in a stormy controversy with the Dutch Reformed Synod over his alleged liberalism and disbelief in the literal truth of the Bible. He was critical of traditional culture and strongly emphasised knowledge and rationalism. In 1862, his unorthodox doctrine brought on him an accusation of heresy, and in 1864 he was found guilty by the Synod and suspended. The Supreme Court overturned the decision, and in 1865, he was readmitted to the ministry. Some of his liberal theological ideas and his diverting viewpoints can be found in the sketches he wrote about daily life in Hanover.
The burghers of the South African Republic urged Burgers to stand for the presidency, and he was elected by the considerable majority of 2,964 to 388 in 1872.
...
Wikipedia