111: The General Who Nearly Averted The Boer War

Send me a messageGeneral Sir William Butler, was an enigmatic member of Sir Garnet Wolseley’s Ashanti Ring of officers in the British Army during the late 19th century.And yet, despite being part of Queen Victoria’s army as it painted large parts of the globe British red, he was also a passionate supporter of Irish Home Rule and of Boer Independence in South Africa.Indeed, there was a brief moment when he came tantalisingly close to preventing the 2nd Boer War. And how history might have been different if he had done so.Become a Patron or get my free weekly newsletterOther episodes that link to this talk:56 The Ashanti Ring66 The Nile Expedition to Rescue General GordonSupport the show