The Library of Jan Christian Smuts

SMUTS HOUSE MUSEUM The Library of Jan Christian Smuts

www.smutshouse.co.za e-mail: [email protected]

Other publications in the Information Series:

No 1 Jan Christian Smuts 1870 - 1950: A Chronology No 2 An Introduction to Holism No 3 The Smuts Koppie Grasslands No 4 The Oubaas Trail No 5 Die Oubaas Voetslaanpad No 6 History of the Big House

Smuts House Museum P O Box 36 0062 Irene Tel: +27 (0)12 667 1176/1180 Cell: +27 (0)71 100 8481 e-mail: [email protected]

ISBN 978-0-9869751-3-4

THE GENERAL SMUTS FOUNDATION INFORMATION SERIES: NO 7 The Library of Jan Christian Smuts

This booket was compiled and published by the Friends BIBLIOGRAPHIES ON SMUTS of the General Smuts Foundation, and is sold in aid of Cunningham, Anna M. Jan Christian Smuts papers. Johannesburg: University of the General Smuts Foundation, Smuts House Museum, the Witwatersrand Library, 1976. (Historical and Literary Papers: Inventories Irene, Centurion. of Collections), 7p. Greenwald, Doreen J. Jan Christian Smuts: bibliography. Cape Town: University of Cape Town, School of Librarianship, 1951, 21p. Authors: Jacqueline A Kalley and Elna Schoeman (former curators, Jan Smuts Library, Jan Smuts House, Kalley, Jacqueline A., Schoeman, Elna and Willers, Joy. Letters to Smuts: correspondence relating to the personal library of General J.C. Smuts, 1902- University of the Witwatersrand) 1950. Johannesburg: South African Institute of International Affairs, 1980. Acknowledgement: The publication by Jacqueline A Kalley entitled Jan (South African Institute of International Affairs. Bibliographical Series, no. 6), Christian Smuts: A Bibliophile? Johannesburg: 129p. University of the Witwatersrand Library, 1985 Ratcliffe, U.M. A bibliography of books and speeches by the late General J.C. (copyright Jacqueline A Kalley), on which the Smuts. Cape Town: University of Cape Town, School of Librarianship, 1953, present work is based. 47p. Edited: Prof Elwyn Jenkins, Committee member, Scott, J.A.S. Jan Christian Smuts: a bibliography of prefaces, forewords and Friends of the General Smuts Foundation introductions by Smuts and biographical data about him. Cape Town: University of Cape Town, School of Librarianship, 1953, 46p. Layout & DTP: Cheryl Dehning, Committee member, Friends of the General Smuts Foundation Printing sponsored by: Friends of the General Smuts Foundation, P O Box 80, Irene 0062, South Africa

Photographs: Photographs of museum contents and reproductions of photographs courtesy of Smuts House Museum – C Dehning; Photographs of SA Institute for International Affairs, University of the Witwatersrand – D McCallum

Second, revised edition 2012

ISBN 978-0-9869751-3-4

The Smuts family during the Second World War Front: Kathleen Mincher (née de Villiers, foster daughter), Isie and Jan Smuts, Dr Louis McIldowie (née Smuts), Sylma Coaton (née Smuts); Back: Jan Smuts Jnr, Jack Coaton Friends of the General Smuts Foundation (son-in-law), Japie Smuts; Inserts: Top Left: Daphne Smuts (née Webster, wife of Jan afﬁliated to the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. Smuts Jnr); Top right: Santa Weyers (née Smuts). Cato Clark (née Smuts) was in Incorporated Association not for gain – F.N. 01 100078 000 3 Reg. No. 05/04568/08 England at the time www.smutshouse.co.za e-mail: [email protected] Information Series: No 7 13 Matters of the Mind The Library of Jan Christian Smuts

BIOGRAPHIES OF SMUTS Introduction Almendro. Jan Christian Smuts, Field Marshall. Cairo: Schindler, [1943?], 8p. Doornkloof – an unlikely home for Armstrong, H.C. Grey steel, J.C. Smuts: a study in arrogance. London: Barker, 1937, a statesman, the big old house 406p. fashioned from wood and iron Cameron, Trewhella. Jan Smuts: an illustrated biography. Cape Town: Human and looms over the landscape just as Rousseau, 1994, 192p. Jan Christian Smuts dominated Crafford, F.S. Jan Smuts: a biography. New York, Greenwood, 1968, 175p. South Africa’s political scene for over 50 years. Smuts secured this Danziger, Christopher. Jan Smuts. Cape Town: Macdonald South Africa, 1978, 24p. erstwhile officers’ mess in 1908 from De Villiers, Les. South Africa drawn in colour: the Smuts years, 1945-1946. Sandton: Middelburg in the then Transvaal Gordon, 1980, 143p. for £300. He had it transported and Friedlander, Zelda, ed. Jan Smuts remembered: a centennial tribute. Cape Town: re-erected on his farm near Irene, Timmins, 1970, 104p. where it soon became the Smuts Haarhoff, T.J. Smuts the humanist: a personal reminiscence. Oxford: Blackwell, family’s spacious and well-loved 1970, 113p. permanent home. Hancock, William Keith. Smuts: fields of force. Cambridge: Cambridge University The enormous billiard room was Press, 1968, 589p. commandeered by the General as Hancock, William Keith. Smuts: the sanguine years, 1870-1919. Cambridge: his study, and it was here that he Cambridge University Press, 1962, 619p. housed his personal collection of books. These originally numbered Ingham, Kenneth. Jan Christian Smuts: the conscience of a South African. View of the high-ceilinged library Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball in association with Weidenfeld and Nicholson, some 6 000 and spilled into the 1986, 284p. passage beyond. The many margin notes reveal that they were well used, Joseph, Joan. South African statesman: Jan Christiaan Smuts. Folkestone: Bailey, and the uniqueness of the collection is reflected by its wide-ranging subject 1970, 189p. matter. Further insight into the mind of Smuts as international politician, Kalley, Jacqueline A. Jan Christian Smuts: a bibliophile? Johannesburg: University of soldier, botanist, philosopher, and the man himself could be provided by an the Witwatersrand Library, 1985, 12p. examination of his books, the main focus of this booklet. Lean, Phyllis Scarnell. One man in his time: a pictorial review of the life of Jan Christian The full circle: Travels of the study Smuts. Johannesburg: [General Smuts War Veterans Foundation], 1964, 48p. In terms of Smuts’s will, on his death in 1950 his collection was bequeathed to Levi, N. Jan Smuts: being a character sketch of Gen. the Hon. J.C. Smuts, K.C., a South African university. The University of the Witwatersrand was selected M.L.A., Minister of Defence, Union of South Africa. London: Longmans, Green, as the recipient but the library remained undisturbed for a further four years 1917, 310p. until the death of his wife, Isie. Thereafter the quest for its security became Meiring, Piet. Jan Smuts die Afrikaner. Cape Town: Tafelberg, 1974, 216p. imperative, owing to souvenir hunters and its vulnerability, given its rural Meiring, Piet. Smuts the patriot. Cape Town: Tafelberg, 1975, 215p. location, should a fire break out. Millin, Sarah Gertrude. General Smuts. London: Faber and Faber, 1936, 2 vols. At that time, the University of the Witwatersrand lacked the resources to Smuts, J.C. Jan Christian Smuts. Cape Town: Heinemann and Cassell, 1952. 568p. house the study in a manner befitting its importance, and the books were likely to languish in storage. In a wise move, it was decided to house them Smuts, Jan Christian. Selections from the Smuts Papers, edited by W.K. Hancock temporarily in the Africana Museum at the Johannesburg Public Library. The and Jean van der Poel. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1966-1973. then Librarian, Mr R.F. Kennedy, gave the project the benefit of his expertise and 7 vols. had the material catalogued. Each book and pamphlet was recorded, together

12 Information Series: No 7 Information Series: No 7 1 Matters of the Mind The Library of Jan Christian Smuts book. Found too, on the shelves among Smuts’s books on Darwinism, plant with its exact shelf location, and and animal life are two little notebooks, which Smuts with his deep love of extensive photographs of the study nature obviously found worthy of retention. They are entitled Birds Seen at in its original location ensured a Rooikop, November 12-16 and December 4-6 1928, and Birds Seen at Irene faithful reproduction of the room October 31 1928 to January 7 1929, compiled by Arthur B Gillett and his son as it was at Doornkloof. A major A Nicolas Gillett, whose contributions are in his still rounded and unformed drawback was that the new room handwriting. A pretty bookmark still marks the page noting a Redbill and a was not high enough to reproduce Crowned Lapwing, together with their Latin names. the lofty dimensions of the original billiard room, and the open ceiling Conclusion with its timber roof trusses and This collection fuelled and enhanced purlins was missing. Smuts’s intellect and bears testimony to SA Institute of International Affairs, Jan Smuts his diverse interests. It reflects the man House, University of the Witwatersrand, and his fine mind, and we are fortunate Johannesburg that it remains as a reference point to one The study was destined for of South Africa’s finest sons. another move, this time to Jan Smuts House, headquarters of the South African Institute of International Affairs on the Procession following Smuts’s installation as Chancellor of Cambridge University, campus of the University of the June 1948 Witwatersrand. This building owed its inception to the Smuts Memorial Trust and was intended as a living memorial to General Smuts. The Smuts signing the United Nations Charter. Foyer, SA Institute of International Affairs, dimensions of the study were an Cpt Jannie Smuts Jnr to the right Wits Campus. Note bust of Jan Smuts. exact replica of the original billiard room and no detail was spared in duplicating the ceiling, woodwork and even the blinds on the doors. The study enchanted many visitors through the years, each with his or her own story to tell of the General. It was proclaimed South Africa’s first National Cultural Treasure in 1989. Once more, in 1995, the study was packed up for its final return home to Doornkloof where it belonged. The heart of the house View of the Library from the door, Smuts House Museum had been missing for 45 years and 2 Information Series: No 7 Information Series: No 7 11 Matters of the Mind The Library of Jan Christian Smuts Die Grosse Politik der Europaischen Kabinette 1871-1914, edited by Johan the house once more became Lepsius (Berlin: Deutsche Verlagsgesellschaft für Politik und Geschichte, intact. Stringent moves have 1922), as well as numerous periodicals. been taken to ensure its safety The many government publications reflect his ministerial portfolios and from fire and theft, and the study his grasp of the internal workings of matters of state. They cover reports has become the focal point of the on transport, mining and pensions, to mention but a few. South African many visitors to the Big House. Commissions of Inquiry are numerous and include works on the local friction There is no more perusing of the such as that by G A Mills on the causes that led to the ill-feeling between bookshelves, however, and visitors the Boers and Zulus that culminated in the attack on the Boers by the Zulus are confined to a viewpoint at the under Chief Sikobobo at Holkrantz in the district of Vryheid on 6 May 1902 entrance. (Pietermaritzburg: Times, 1902). Race Meetings and Betting (1909), Sunday The architectural context: Observance (1913), Education Administration (1923), and Cost of Living The modest desk with its ink-stained blotter (1932) are among the wide variety of topics. The study’s interior and Histories of the two World Wars are numerous, and mention should be artefacts made of von Lettow-Vorbeck’s Official War Diary 1914-1916, a typescript copy If one looks at the interior with an English title page prefacing the German text. Biographies abound, arrangement of the furniture and on both the leading statesmen of the time and others of note including Sir artefacts in the Smuts study, the Isaac Newton, Thomas Hart, Charlotte overall impression is that of utter Brontë and William Booth. simplicity and modesty, lacking any In addition to books on agriculture, traces of self-importance or inflated anthropology and education are those ego. And yet – on the surrounding on science and the natural sciences. shelves are priceless treasures His outstanding collection of botanical created by eminent scholars of all books, which was housed outside his ages. study, was given to the University of What does this tell us about Initialled Cape stinkwood desk and matching Cape Town on his death, save one General Smuts, the statesman and chair. The view of the initials on the desk is treasure compiled in 1787 by the politician, who must have spent hidden behind the large sofa and not normally seen by visitors. Note the lined wastepaper Vicar of Pucklechurch, of grasses many hours of his working life basket, to catch the naartjie pips (below). in Gloucestershire arranged in the in this study? That his foremost order of their flowering. The Library interest was in matters of the intellect and at Kew has two copies of this special the mind; that a superficial and ostentatious lifestyle did not suit him; and that outward Albert Einstein’s dedication to Smuts in display was not important. his book The World as I see It, 1934 There are two desks in the study, one small and almost modest, the other quite grand and imposing, made of Cape stinkwood and highly polished – obviously not acquired by the General, but presented to him as a gift by the United Party in 1934. It is said that he used the smaller desk for his personal and private matters – the

10 Information Series: No 7 Information Series: No 7 3 Matters of the Mind The Library of Jan Christian Smuts

Inscription on desk: History comprises another major section, encompassing Africa, Asia, “Geskenk deur die SA Party Transvaal aan Australasia and the Paciﬁc, with the concentration falling on British, European J C Smuts and South African works. Among the latter is a fascinating collection of Presented by the SA Party Transvaal newspaper cuttings spanning the period from the Jameson Raid to the end 23.8.34” of the Anglo-Boer War in 1902. Unfortunately many of the cuttings have not The presentation inkwells : been properly referenced, but the preponderance appear to be British. Left: “Field Marshall The Rt Hon J C Smuts was reputed to have read only one detective story, which took him Smuts” an evening, and he was never to read another! Literary works, therefore, Right: “To Commemorate his visit to Randfontein Estates 11 - 7- 41” include mainly the classics with an emphasis on Shakespearean material and critical commentary thereon. Goethe and Walt Whitman were other obvious favourites. Of interest is a copy of the latter’s Complete Poems and ink spots on the blotting paper Prose 1855 to 1888 (Philadelphia: Ferguson, 1881) which was autographed still bear witness to his writings by Whitman and contains a chronology and notes in Smuts’s handwriting. so many years ago. The large Books on the arts are conspicuously lacking, and the few examples focus desk was apparently reserved for on the architecture of Windsor Castle, catalogues of the principal art works ofﬁcial business and matters of at Chequers, and the Society of the Inner Temple. Most noteworthy are 45 state. It came with a matching reproductions of Jan Steen’s principal works (London: Bodley Head, 1927). chair, which was personalised, as An abiding involvement in international affairs in all its diversity, including it has Smuts’s monogram, JCS, economics, is evidenced by his collection of books on the subject. Many of carved into the back. these are autographed and inscribed by the authors, as previously mentioned. A gift from the Cape branches Winston Churchill, in sending Smuts a copy of his World in Crisis 1915 (London: of the United Party is the small Butterworth, 1923), inscribed it with “Though the opportunity was lost, the riempie bench, which was placed cause continues.” Lord Reading, to whom Coleman Phillipson dedicated his back-to-back to the smaller desk, Termination of War and Treaties of Peace, sent a copy to Smuts and wrote, facing the upholstered sofa and the Riempie bench, with Ouma’s homemade cushions, now slightly faded “Do let me give you this copy – if only to mark my regard for you which is larger desk. Ouma’s homemade the highest and warmest, 1918.” As was often the case, Smuts already had cushions, now slightly faded, a copy of his own. Important to this section is the forty-volumed series of contribute to an atmosphere of comfortable informality, a place where one could curl up with a book, relax and be oneself, and yet – it can be presumed that momentous decisions were taken between these four walls! Smuts’s colleagues, family members and friends must have Winston Churchill and Smuts, during World War II sometimes been invited into the study – a large chair, matching the sofa, and several almost modern- Extra chairs and on the shelf, the metal cap looking tube chairs lining one wall box with Louis Botha’s cap Note the folding provide ample seating space. riempie stool from the Anglo-Boer War.

4 Information Series: No 7 Information Series: No 7 9 Matters of the Mind The Library of Jan Christian Smuts civilis, which unlike its companion volumes, the Codex and Digesta that are One can imagine them filling the study dated 1618, is erroneously dated 1418, some 30 years before Gutenberg’s with earnest discussions on urgent state first attempt at printing an Astronomical Calendar on parchment! matters or lively debates on the many Some 230 of the books in the study are on religion, one tenth of which are topics which interested the Oubaas. Bibles or parts thereof, in diverse languages such as Afrikaans, Dutch, English, The officer’s field chest in the corner German, Greek and Hebrew. Oldest in the collection is the New Testament with its many drawers, the small occasional in Dutch: Het Nieuwe Testament ons salig-makers Jesu Christi (Antwerp: table carved from a tree trunk during the Mourentorf, 1599) and a copy of the Psalms, also in Dutch: Die Psalmen Anglo-Boer War, the folding riempie seat, Davids: oude en nieuwe rymen (Amsterdam: Duisberg, 1689). There are two a miniature spinning wheel presented handsome Statenbybels, dated 1714 and 1748. Smuts by no means confined to Smuts by Emily Hobhouse, and the his reading to Judaism and Christianity in all its facets, including Quakerism. fabric-lined wastepaper basket (to prevent This is revealed by a copy of the Koran (in English), the Bhagavad Ghita, naartjie pips falling through the basket and books on Buddism and Hinduism, among many on religious thought work) – all contribute to the ambience of Officer’s field chest to left of study and experiences. An analysis of the titles shows a fascination with the link this modest, yet so significant, room. door, on which the miniature between science and religion, and also with the mystical elements. Two porcelain cups, bearing the spinning wheel is displayed Philosophy, metaphysics, ethics and evolution are well represented among insignia of the Kaiserhof (an hotel in the collections, reflecting Smuts’s intense interest in these subjects. This Windhoek or Berlin?), were also kept on culminated in the publication of his Holism and Evolution (London: Macmillan, top of the field chest. 1926). Of interest in this wide-ranging section is Kant’s Kritik der praktischen In a metal hat box, on the far side Vernuft (Riga: Hartknoch, 1787); John Locke’s An Essay Concerning Human bookshelf, a cap belonging to General Understanding, privately printed in London in 1768; and two small volumes: Louis Botha has been preserved. The Philosophical Dictionary from the French of M. Unfortunately, no further details about this de Voltaire (London: printed for Lackington, 1785). cap are known. Miniature spinning wheel presented to Jan Smuts by Emily Hobhouse

Gnl Botha’s cap, donated to the museum by his family (cap removed from its metal cap box specially for this photograph)

Gnl Louis Botha Smuts, Colonial Secretary, Prime Minister,1919 Prime Minister, 1939 (after whom Louis McIlldowie 1907 (née Smuts) was named) 8 Information Series: No 7 Information Series: No 7 5 Matters of the Mind The Library of Jan Christian Smuts The framed pictures in the study include a number of political cartoons, Smuts’s interest in the classics is reflected in his small collection of Greek portrait studies of Louis Botha and one of Smuts as a young man, as well as and Latin texts, mainly acquired during his student days at Victoria College, photographs of the National Convention members and another of the Imperial Stellenbosch, several of which are dated 1897 in his handwriting. One recalls War Cabinet. There is also a print of a drawing depicting the Dutch scholar his son Jan’s description of his mastery of Greek: and theologian Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536). My father tackled it for the first time during the six-day holiday before A “golden record” placed high on a book shelf is a synopsis of a series of his final term, and locking himself up in his room memorised the 13 programs on the life of J C Smuts broadcast to hundreds on radio stations books and mastered Greek to such an effect that he not only passed throughout the United States of America in 1944. his exams, but actually headed the Cape lists in this subject. He Further relics housed in the study are a plaque taken in 1914 from a considered that the most remarkable feat of memorising in his life.2 German locomotive during the South West Africa campaign and a German In 1891, Smuts graduated from Victoria bayonet from the First World War. College, having taken his degree in science However, the most important component of the study will always be the and literature and obtained Honours in both. fine collection of books which Smuts collected over the years. He was accordingly awarded the Ebdin Scholarship for overseas study and decided to read law at Cambridge. He simultaneously obtained Distinction in both parts of the law tripos; this outstanding feat was followed by the presentation to him of the George Long prize in Roman Law, awarded only in exceptional cases. After practising law, at the early age of 28 he was appointed State Attorney to the South African Republic. The Golden Record Plaque taken from a Two sawfish bones and With this legal background, it is hardly commemorates recordings German locomotive during a German bayonet from surprising that one of the largest and most Graduation, 1891 on the life of J C Smuts the South West Africa the First World War broadcast on radio stations campaign significant collections in his study comprises his classic and modern law books. throughout the United States Noteworthy in respect of the former are the many fine folios and quartos, 70 of of America in 1944. which bear a pre-1806 imprint. Most of the important jurists are represented The collection in the Latin, French, Dutch and German texts, and there are a considerable number of English law books, including Maritime Law. During Smuts’s lifetime the collection grew, as did international admiration Worthy of note are works by Covarrubias (1638); Cujas (1618, 1658); for this remarkable man. This is evidenced by the many authors’ inscribed Glucks Pandects (66 volumes, 1797-1896); Grotius (1736, 1767, 1777); copies, ranging from the works of luminaries such as Lloyd George and Huber (1689); Justi (1793); Mattheus (1664, 1645,1694); Nieustad (1654, Winston Churchill to unknown scholars seeking his approbation. He retained 1667); Peck (1668); Pothier (1802); Schultingh (1717); Struve (1682, 1684); the myriad compliment slips or accompanying letters within their relevant Voet (1704, 1723, 1729); Wesel (1666); Wesenbeck (1665) and Zurck (1764). volumes. They remained there for some 30 years after his death, until they Oldest among the collection are Volumes 2, 3 and 4 of Doneau’s were eventually collected together to ensure their preservation. In addition, Jurisconsulti commentariorum de jure civili libri, which are dated 1595 to 1596. an annotated catalogue of this material was published as Letters to Smuts,1 Apart from losing their metal clasps, these vellum folios have well withstood which makes fascinating reading. the ravages of their 400 years. Of interest is the Infortiatium of the Corpus juris

1 Letters to Smuts: correspondence relating to the personal library of General J.C. Smuts, 1902- 2 Smuts, JC. Jan Christian Smuts. Cape Town: Heinemann and Cassell, 1952, p. 19. He 1950. Johannesburg: South African Institute of International Affairs, 1980. (South African had a small Bible in Greek that accompanied him everywhere. It was stolen from a display Institute of International Affairs. Bibliographical Series, no. 6), 129p. cabinet in the early 1970s. 6 Information Series: No 7 Information Series: No 7 7 MattersMatters of of the the Mind Mind TheThe Library Library of of Jan Jan Christian Christian Smuts Smuts One can imagine them filling the study civilis, which unlike its companion volumes, the InscriptionCodex and on Digestadesk: that are History comprises another major section, encompassing Africa, Asia, dated 1618, is erroneously dated 1418,“Geskenk some deur30 years die SA before Party Transvaal Gutenberg’s aan Australasiawith earnest and discussions the Pacific, on with urgent the concentration state falling on British, European first attempt at printing an Astronomical Calendar on Jparchment! C Smuts andmatters South or Africanlively debatesworks. Amongon the themany latter is a fascinating collection of Some 230 of the books in the study arePresented on religion, by the one SA tenthParty ofTransvaal which are newspapertopics which cuttings interested spanning the Oubaas. the period from the Jameson Raid to the end Bibles or parts thereof, in diverse languages such as Afrikaans,23.8.34” Dutch, English, of the The Anglo-Boer officer’s fiWareld chestin 1902. in theUnfortunately corner many of the cuttings have not German, Greek and Hebrew. Oldest in the collectionThe presentation is the inkwellsNew Testament : beenwith itsproperly many drawers, referenced, the smallbut the occasional preponderance appear to be British. in Dutch: Het Nieuwe Testament ons salig-makersLeft: “Field Marshall Jesu TheChristi Rt Hon (Antwerp: J C table Smuts carved was from reputed a tree to havetrunk read during only the one detective story, which took him Mourentorf, 1599) and a copy of the Psalms, also inSmuts” Dutch: Die Psalmen anAnglo-Boer evening, War,and hethe was folding never riempie to read seat, another! Literary works, therefore, Right: “To Commemorate his visit to Davids: oude en nieuwe rymen (Amsterdam:Randfontein Duisberg, Estates 1689). 11 There - 7- 41” are two includea miniature mainly spinningthe classics wheel with presented an emphasis on Shakespearean material handsome Statenbybels, dated 1714 and 1748. Smuts by no means confined andto Smutscritical bycommentary Emily Hobhouse, thereon. and Goethe the and Walt Whitman were other his reading to Judaism and Christianity in all its facets, including Quakerism. obviousfabric-lined favourites. wastepaper Of interest basket is(to a preventcopy of the latter’s Complete Poems and inkThis spots is revealed on the by blotting a copy paperof the Koran (in English), the Bhagavad Ghita, Prosenaartjie 1855 pips to 1888falling (Philadelphia: through the Ferguson,basket 1881) which was autographed stilland bear books witness on Buddism to his andwritings Hinduism, among many on religious thought bywork) Whitman – all contributeand contains to the a chronologyambience ofand Ofnotesficer’s in fi eldSmuts’s chest to handwriting. left of study soand many experiences. years ago. An analysisThe large of the titles shows a fascination with the link Booksthis modest, on the yet arts so are signi conspicuouslyficant, room. lacking, anddoor, the on whichfew examples the miniature focus spinning wheel is displayed deskbetween was scienceapparently and reserved religion, andfor also with the mystical elements. on the Two architecture porcelain of cups,Windsor bearing Castle, thecatalogues of the principal art works of ficial Philosophy, business metaphysics, and matters ethics of and evolution are well represented among atinsignia Chequers, of theand Kaiserhofthe Society (an of thehotel Inner in Temple. Most noteworthy are 45 state.the collections, It came rewithflecting a matching Smuts’s intense interest in these subjects. This reproductionsWindhoek or ofBerlin?), Jan Steen’s were principalalso kept works on (London: Bodley Head, 1927). chair,culminated which inwas the personalised, publication of ashis Holism and Evolution (London: Macmillan, top An of abidingthe field involvementchest. in international affairs in all its diversity, including it1926). has Smuts’s Of interest monogram, in this wide-ranging JCS, section is Kant’s Kritik der praktischen economics, In a metal is evidenced hat box, byon his the collection far side of books on the subject. Many of carvedVernuft into (Riga: the Hartknoch,back. 1787); John Locke’s An Essay Concerning Human thesebookshelf, are autographed a cap belonging and inscribed to General by the authors, as previously mentioned. Understanding A gift from the, privately Cape branches printed in London in 1768; and two small volumes: WinstonLouis Churchill,Botha has in sending been Smuts preserved. a copy of his World in Crisis 1915 (London: of the United Party is theThe small Philosophical Dictionary from the French of M. Butterworth,Unfortunately, 1923), no further inscribed details it withabout “Though this the opportunity was lost, the riempie bench, which wasde placed Voltaire (London: printed for Lackington, 1785). causecap are continues.” known. Lord Reading, to whom Coleman Phillipson dedicated his back-to-back to the smaller desk, Termination of War and Treaties of Peace, sentMiniature a copy spinning to Smuts wheel and presented wrote, facing the upholstered sofa and the Riempie bench, with Ouma’s homemade cushions, now slightly faded “Do let me give you this copy – if only to markto Jan my Smuts regard by forEmily you Hobhouse which is larger desk. Ouma’s homemade the highest and warmest, 1918.” As was often the case, Smuts already had cushions, now slightly faded, a copy of his own. Important to this section is the forty-volumed series of contribute to an atmosphere of comfortable informality, a place where one could curl up with a book, relax and be oneself, and yet – it can be presumed that Gnl Botha’s cap, momentous decisions were taken donated to the museum between these four walls! by his family Smuts’s colleagues, family (cap removed from its metal cap box specially members and friends must have Winston Churchill and for this photograph) Smuts, during World War II sometimes been invited into the study – a large chair, matching the sofa, and several almost modern- Extra chairs and on the shelf, the metal cap looking tube chairs lining one wall box with Louis Botha’s cap Note the folding Gnl Louis Botha provideSmuts, Colonial ample Secretary, seating space.Prime Minister,1919riempie stool from thePrime Anglo-Boer Minister, 1939War. (after whom Louis McIlldowie 1907 (née Smuts) was named) 48 InformationInformation Series: Series: No No 7 7 InformationInformation Series: Series: No No 7 7 95 Matters of the Mind The Library of Jan Christian Smuts

4 Information Series: No 7 Information Series: No 7 9 Matters of the Mind The Library of Jan Christian Smuts Die Grosse Politik der Europaischen Kabinette 1871-1914, edited by Johan the house once more became Lepsius (Berlin: Deutsche Verlagsgesellschaft für Politik und Geschichte, intact. Stringent moves have 1922), as well as numerous periodicals. been taken to ensure its safety The many government publications reflect his ministerial portfolios and from fire and theft, and the study his grasp of the internal workings of matters of state. They cover reports has become the focal point of the on transport, mining and pensions, to mention but a few. South African many visitors to the Big House. Commissions of Inquiry are numerous and include works on the local friction There is no more perusing of the such as that by G A Mills on the causes that led to the ill-feeling between bookshelves, however, and visitors the Boers and Zulus that culminated in the attack on the Boers by the Zulus are confined to a viewpoint at the under Chief Sikobobo at Holkrantz in the district of Vryheid on 6 May 1902 entrance. (Pietermaritzburg: Times, 1902). Race Meetings and Betting (1909), Sunday The architectural context: Observance (1913), Education Administration (1923), and Cost of Living The modest desk with its ink-stained blotter (1932) are among the wide variety of topics. The study’s interior and Histories of the two World Wars are numerous, and mention should be artefacts made of von Lettow-Vorbeck’s Official War Diary 1914-1916, a typescript copy If one looks at the interior with an English title page prefacing the German text. Biographies abound, arrangement of the furniture and on both the leading statesmen of the time and others of note including Sir artefacts in the Smuts study, the Isaac Newton, Thomas Hart, Charlotte overall impression is that of utter Brontë and William Booth. simplicity and modesty, lacking any In addition to books on agriculture, traces of self-importance or inflated anthropology and education are those ego. And yet – on the surrounding on science and the natural sciences. shelves are priceless treasures His outstanding collection of botanical created by eminent scholars of all books, which was housed outside his ages. study, was given to the University of What does this tell us about Initialled Cape stinkwood desk and matching Cape Town on his death, save one General Smuts, the statesman and chair. The view of the initials on the desk is treasure compiled in 1787 by the politician, who must have spent hidden behind the large sofa and not normally seen by visitors. Note the lined wastepaper Vicar of Pucklechurch, of grasses many hours of his working life basket, to catch the naartjie pips (below). in Gloucestershire arranged in the in this study? That his foremost order of their flowering. The Library interest was in matters of the intellect and at Kew has two copies of this special the mind; that a superficial and ostentatious lifestyle did not suit him; and that outward Albert Einstein’s dedication to Smuts in display was not important. his book The World as I see It, 1934 There are two desks in the study, one small and almost modest, the other quite grand and imposing, made of Cape stinkwood and highly polished – obviously not acquired by the General, but presented to him as a gift by the United Party in 1934. It is said that he used the smaller desk for his personal and private matters – the

10 Information Series: No 7 Information Series: No 7 3 MattersMatters ofof thethe MindMind TheThe LibraryLibrary ofof JanJan ChristianChristian SmutsSmuts Die Grosse Politik der Europaischen Kabinette 1871-1914, edited by Johan book.the house Found once too, onmore the shelvesbecame among Smuts’s books on Darwinism, plant with its exact shelf location, and Lepsius (Berlin: Deutsche Verlagsgesellschaft für Politik und Geschichte, andintact. animal Stringent life are twomoves little notebooks,have which Smuts with his deep love of extensive photographs of the study 1922), as well as numerous periodicals. naturebeen takenobviously to ensurefound worthyits safety of retention. They are entitled Birds Seen at in its original location ensured a The many government publications reflect his ministerial portfolios and Rooikop,from fire Novemberand theft, and12-16 the and study December 4-6 1928, and Birds Seen at Irene faithful reproduction of the room his grasp of the internal workings of matters of state. They cover reports Octoberhas become 31 1928 the tofocal January point 7of 1929 the , compiled by Arthur B Gillett and his son as it was at Doornkloof. A major on transport, mining and pensions, to mention but a few. South African Amany Nicolas visitors Gillett, to whosethe Big contributions House. are in his still rounded and unformed drawback was that the new room Commissions of Inquiry are numerous and include works on the local friction handwriting.There is no moreA pretty perusing bookmark of the still marks the page noting a Redbill and a was not high enough to reproduce such as that by G A Mills on the causes that led to the ill-feeling between Crownedbookshelves, Lapwing, however, together and visitorswith their Latin names. the lofty dimensions of the original the Boers and Zulus that culminated in the attack on the Boers by the Zulus are confined to a viewpoint at the billiard room, and the open ceiling under Chief Sikobobo at Holkrantz in the district of Vryheid on 6 May 1902 Conclusionentrance. with its timber roof trusses and (Pietermaritzburg: Times, 1902). Race Meetings and Betting (1909), Sunday This collection fuelled and enhanced purlins was missing. The architectural context: Observance (1913), Education Administration (1923), and Cost of Living Smuts’s intellect and bears testimony to SA Institute of International Affairs, Jan Smuts The modest desk with its ink-stained blotter (1932) are among the wide variety of topics. hisThe diverse study’s interests. interior It re andflects the man House, University of the Witwatersrand, andartefacts his fine mind, and we are fortunate Histories of the two World Wars are numerous,Johannesburg and mention should be made of von Lettow-Vorbeck’s Official War Diary 1914-1916, a typescript copy thatIf oneit remains looks as aat reference the interior point to one with an English title page prefacing the German The text.study Biographies was destined abound, for ofarrangement South Africa’s of fithenest furniture sons. and on both the leading statesmen of the timeanother and others move, of thisnote timeincluding to Jan Sir artefacts in the Smuts study, the Isaac Newton, Thomas Hart, Charlotte Smuts House, headquarters overall impression is that of utter Brontë and William Booth. of the South African Institute simplicity and modesty, lacking any In addition to books on agriculture, of International Affairs on the tracesProcession of self-importance following Smuts’s or inflated installation as Chancellor of Cambridge University, anthropology and education are those campus of the University of the ego. And yet – onJune the 1948surrounding on science and the natural sciences. Witwatersrand. This building owed shelves are priceless treasures His outstanding collection of botanical its inception to the Smuts Memorial created by eminent scholars of all books, which was housed outside his Trust and was intended as a living ages. study, was given to the University of memorial to General Smuts. The Smuts What signing does the this United tell Nations us about Charter. Initialled Cape stinkwood desk and matching CapeFoyer, Town SA Institute on his of death,International save Affairs, one dimensions of the study were an GeneralCpt JannieSmuts, Smuts the statesman Jnr to the right and chair. The view of the initials on the desk is treasureWits Campus. compiled Note inbust 1787 of Jan by Smuts. the exact replica of the original billiard politician, who must have spent hidden behind the large sofa and not normally room and no detail was spared in seen by visitors. Note the lined wastepaper Vicar of Pucklechurch, of grasses many hours of his working life basket, to catch the naartjie pips (below). in Gloucestershire arranged in the duplicating the ceiling, woodwork in this study? That his foremost order of their flowering. The Library and even the blinds on the doors. interest was in matters of the intellect and at Kew has two copies of this special The study enchanted many visitors the mind; that a superficial and ostentatious through the years, each with his or lifestyle did not suit him; and that outward her own story to tell of the General. Albert Einstein’s dedication to Smuts in display was not important. It was proclaimed South Africa’s his book The World as I see It, 1934 There are two desks in the study, first National Cultural Treasure in one small and almost modest, the other 1989. quite grand and imposing, made of Cape Once more, in 1995, the study stinkwood and highly polished – obviously was packed up for its final return not acquired by the General, but presented home to Doornkloof where it to him as a gift by the United Party in 1934. belonged. The heart of the house View of the Library from the door, Smuts It is said that he used the smaller desk House Museum had been missing for 45 years and for his personal and private matters – the 210 InformationInformation Series:Series: NoNo 77 InformationInformation Series:Series: NoNo 77 113 Matters of the Mind The Library of Jan Christian Smuts

12 Information Series: No 7 Information Series: No 7 1 Matters of the Mind The Library of Jan Christian Smuts

ThisBIOGRAPHIES booket was OFcompiled SMUTS and published by the Friends IntroductionBIBLIOGRAPHIES ON SMUTS ofAlmendro. the GeneralJan ChristianSmuts Foundation, Smuts, Field and Marshall is sold. Cairo: in aid Schindler, of [1943?], 8p. DoornkloofCunningham, – an Anna unlikely M. Jan home Christian for Smuts papers. Johannesburg: University of theArmstrong, General H.C. SmutsGrey Foundation, steel, J.C. Smuts: Smuts a studyHouse in Museum,arrogance. London: Barker, 1937, a statesman,the Witwatersrand the big Library,old house 1976. (Historical and Literary Papers: Inventories Irene,406p. Centurion. fashionedof Collections), from wood 7p. and iron Cameron, Trewhella. Jan Smuts: an illustrated biography. Cape Town: Human and loomsGreenwald, over theDoreen landscape J. Jan Christian just as Smuts: bibliography. Cape Town: University of Cape Town, School of Librarianship, 1951, 21p. Authors:Rousseau, 1994, 192p.Jacqueline A Kalley and Elna Schoeman (former Jan Christian Smuts dominated Crafford, F.S. Jan Smuts: curators,a biography. Jan New Smuts York, Library, Greenwood, Jan Smuts 1968, 175p.House, SouthKalley, Africa’s Jacqueline political A., Schoeman,scene for Elna and Willers, Joy. Letters to Smuts: over 50correspondence years. Smuts relating secured to thethis personal library of General J.C. Smuts, 1902- Danziger, Christopher. JanUniversity Smuts. Cape of the Town: Witwatersrand) Macdonald South Africa, 1978, 24p. erstwhile1950. offi cers’ Johannesburg: mess in 1908 South from African Institute of International Affairs, 1980. Acknowledgement:De Villiers, Les. South Africa The drawn publication in colour: by the Jacqueline Smuts years, A Kalley 1945-1946. entitled Sandton: Jan Middelburg(South in African the thenInstitute Transvaal of International Affairs. Bibliographical Series, no. 6), Gordon, 1980, 143p. Christian Smuts: A Bibliophile? Johannesburg: for £300.129p. He had it transported and Friedlander, Zelda, ed. JanUniversity Smuts remembered: of the Witwatersrand a centennial Library, tribute .1985 Cape Town: re-erectedRatcliffe, U.M.on his A farmbibliography near Irene, of books and speeches by the late General J.C. Timmins, 1970, 104p.(copyright Jacqueline A Kalley), on which the where Smuts.it soon Cape became Town: the University Smuts of Cape Town, School of Librarianship, 1953, Haarhoff, T.J. Smuts thepresent humanist: work a personal is based. reminiscence. Oxford: Blackwell, family’s47p. spacious and well-loved Edited:1970, 113p. Prof Elwyn Jenkins, Committee member, permanentScott, J.A.S. home.Jan Christian Smuts: a bibliography of prefaces, forewords and Hancock, William Keith. Smuts:Friendsfi eldsof the of Generalforce. Cambridge: Smuts Foundation Cambridge University Theintroductions enormous billiardby Smuts room and was biographical data about him. Cape Town: University of Cape Town, School of Librarianship, 1953, 46p. LayoutPress, & DTP: 1968, 589p. Cheryl Dehning, Committee member, commandeered by the General as Hancock, William Keith. FriendsSmuts: ofthe the sanguine General years,Smuts 1870-1919 Foundation. Cambridge: his study, and it was here that he PrintingCambridge sponsored University by: Friends Press, 1962, of the 619p. General Smuts Foundation, housed his personal collection of books. These originally numbered Ingham, Kenneth. Jan PChristian O Box 80,Smuts: Irene the 0062, conscience South Africa of a South African. View of the high-ceilinged library Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball in association with Weidenfeld and Nicholson, some 6 000 and spilled into the 1986, 284p. passage beyond. The many margin notes reveal that they were well used, Joseph, Joan. South African statesman: Jan Christiaan Smuts. Folkestone: Bailey, and the uniqueness of the collection is reflected by its wide-ranging subject Photographs:1970, 189p. Photographs of museum contents and reproductions of photographs matter. Further insight into the mind of Smuts as international politician, courtesyKalley, Jacqueline of Smuts A.House Jan ChristianMuseum –Smuts: C Dehning; a bibliophile? Johannesburg: University of soldier, botanist, philosopher, and the man himself could be provided by an Photographsthe Witwatersrand of SA Institute Library, for International 1985, 12p. Affairs, University of the Witwatersrand examination of his books, the main focus of this booklet. – D McCallum Lean, Phyllis Scarnell. One man in his time: a pictorial review of the life of Jan Christian The full circle: Travels of the study Smuts. Johannesburg: [General Smuts War Veterans Foundation], 1964, 48p. In terms of Smuts’s will, on his death in 1950 his collection was bequeathed to Levi, N. Jan Smuts: being a character sketch of Gen. the Hon. J.C. Smuts, K.C., a South African university. The University of the Witwatersrand was selected M.L.A., Minister of Defence, Union of South Africa. London: Longmans, Green, as the recipient but the library remained undisturbed for a further four years 1917, 310p. Second, revised edition 2012 until the death of his wife, Isie. Thereafter the quest for its security became Meiring, Piet. Jan Smuts die Afrikaner. Cape Town: Tafelberg, 1974, 216p. imperative, owing to souvenir hunters and its vulnerability, given its rural Meiring, Piet. Smuts the patriot. Cape Town: Tafelberg, 1975, 215p. location, should a fire break out. ISBN 978-0-9869751-3-4 Millin, Sarah Gertrude. General Smuts. London: Faber and Faber, 1936, 2 vols. At that time, the University of the Witwatersrand lacked the resources to house the study in a manner befitting its importance, and the books were Smuts, J.C. Jan Christian Smuts. Cape Town: Heinemann and Cassell, 1952. 568p. The Smuts family during the Second World War likely to languish in storage. In a wise move, it was decided to house them Smuts, Jan Christian. Selections from the Smuts Papers, edited by W.K. Hancock Front: Kathleen Mincher (née de Villiers, foster daughter), Isie and Jan Smuts, Dr Louis temporarily in the Africana Museum at the Johannesburg Public Library. The and Jean van der Poel. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1966-1973. McIldowie (née Smuts), Sylma Coaton (née Smuts); Back: Jan Smuts Jnr, Jack Coaton Friends of the General Smuts Foundation then Librarian, Mr R.F. Kennedy, gave the project the benefit of his expertise and 7 vols. (son-in-law), Japie Smuts; Inserts: Top Left: Daphne Smuts (née Webster, wife of Jan affiliated to the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. Smutshad the Jnr); material Top right: catalogued. Santa Weyers Each (néebook Smuts). and pamphlet Cato Clark was (néerecorded, Smuts) together was in Incorporated Association not for gain – F.N. 01 100078 000 3 Reg. No. 05/04568/08 England at the time www.smutshouse.co.za e-mail: [email protected] 12 Information Series: No 7 InformationInformation Series:Series: NoNo 77 113 SMUTS HOUSE MUSEUM The Library of Jan Christian Smuts

www.smutshouse.co.za e-mail: [email protected]

Other publications in the Information Series:

No 1 Jan Christian Smuts 1870 - 1950: A Chronology No 2 An Introduction to Holism No 3 The Smuts Koppie Grasslands No 4 The Oubaas Trail No 5 Die Oubaas Voetslaanpad No 6 History of the Big House

Smuts House Museum P O Box 36 0062 Irene Tel: +27 (0)12 667 1176/1180 Cell: +27 (0)71 100 8481 e-mail: [email protected]

ISBN 978-0-9869751-3-4

THE GENERAL SMUTS FOUNDATION INFORMATION SERIES: NO 7