52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Achievement

The aim of this challenge, which is set by genealogist, Amy Johnson Crow, is to write about one ancestor every week in 2024, according to a given prompt. I will be writing about my direct ancestors, and also about other family members.

There are many forms of achievement, whether it’s winning an award, winning a race, or accomplishing what it was you set out to do. This week, celebrate an achievement (great or small) that one of your ancestor’s made.

Langham Dale 1826-1898

Langham Dale isn’t related to me by blood but he is by marriage. It’s quite a long distance connection, but I’m prepared to take it, as his life story is very interesting. Langham Dale is the brother in law of my third great aunt. I told you it was a tenuous connection, but I hope you agree that his life story is worth reading.

Family

Langham Dale was born on 22 May, 1826, in Kingsclere, Hampshire England, to parish registrar, Henry Dale and Mary Ann Stroud. His early education was at Christ’s Hospital public school, after which he attended Queen’s College, Oxford, graduating in 1847. He was able to attend Oxford, after receiving a bursary for his education there.

Langham Dale married Emma Ross in Cape Town, in 1849, and they had six children. Emma died on 31 October 1876, at Cape Town, South Africa.

South Africa

Shortly after graduating, in 1848, he was appointed as a professor of classics at the South African College, a position he held until 1858. His commitment to education was further recognised, when he received an honorary doctorate, from the University of Glasgow, during a visit to England in that year.

in 1859, on his return to Cape Town, Langham Dale was appointed to the position of superintendent general of education, for the Cape Colony. He chaired the board of public examiners from 1859 to 1872, and played a major role in proposing the establishment of a university to succeed the Examining Board. His vision came about in 1873, when he became the first Vice Chancellor of the University of the Cape of Good Hope.

His influence extended beyond academia. Following are a just a few of the other positions that he held during his lifetime:

• Chair of the Public Service Commission 1886-1887
• Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society where he contributed to various scientific, classical and literary articles.
• Trustee of the South African Public Library
• Committee member for the Fine Arts Association
• Committee member for the Botanical Garden in
• Foundation member and first vice president of the South African Philosophical Society

He was knighted in the Order of St. Michael and St. George and became Sir Langham Dale.

At his retirement in 1892, the Cape Parliament granted him a pension equal to his full salary, as a tribute to his great contribution to education in the Cape Colony. 

The bust of Langham Dale can be seen at the Oppenheimer Library, Cape Town Library

Legacy

 The legacy of Langham Dale in education is honored by Dale College, an iconic school in King William’s Town, South Africa, which was named in tribute to him.

Death

Langham Dale passed away on 12 January 1898 in Mowbray, Cape Town, after a life that was heavily involved in education and public service.

University of South Africa Remembrance

The following information appears on the website for the University of South Africa:

Sir Langham Dale led the commission that established the University of the Cape of Good Hope (UCGH), which later became Unisa, and served as Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor over a 25-year period.

The son of a Hampshire parish registrar, Dale attended Oxford on a bursary. At age 22, a recommendation from the famous astronomer Sir John Herschel secured Dale a professorship at the South African College, Cape Town. Dale argued with the College’s incumbent administrator, forced his resignation and took over. Dale was said to be “in charge of everything related to higher education in the Cape” – next he became Superintendent General of Education and then President of the Board of Public Examiners (which would become UCGH). He served as the Cape government’s most strong-willed education adviser for much of the rest of his career. Determined to establish a bona fide, degree-conferring university for the Colony, he performed the difficult political groundwork that resulted in the Cape Parliament’s Act 16 of 1873, which established UCGH.

Image: Langham Dale, unisa.ac.za

Highclere Cottage

Highclere Cottage

Highclere Cottage was the home of Sir Langham Dale. It is one of the few remaining 19th century buildings that are mostly unaltered. Highclere was build on part of a farm that was related to the Battle of Bloubers. The cottage still stands despites many requests by developers for demolition.

sources:
http://www.unisa.ac.za
Wikipedia
Biographical database of South Africa, Langham Dale, https://www.s2a3.org.za/bio/Biograph_final.php?serial=634
High Clere Cottage, Bloubergstrand https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/thread/highclere-cottage-bloubergstrand
Collaboration with family researcher, Graham Sleeth

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