What is Cecil John Rhodes’ claim to fame?

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In 1881, Rhodes entered the Parliament of Cape Colony, in which he held a seat for the remainder of his life, Rhodes became the prime minister, and virtual dictator, of Cape Colony in 1890. He conspired to overthrow of the South African government of Paul Kruger. In the late 1890's a committee of the British House of Commons pronounced him guilty of grave breaches of duty as prime minister (of the Cape Colony) and as administrator of the British South Africa Company. Thereafter he devoted himself primarily to the development of the country that had been named Rhodesia (since 1980, Zimbabwe) in his honor. In the South African War he commanded troops at Kimberley and was besieged there for a time, He died in South Africa. Cecil Rhodes was buried at the Matopos Hills of Zimbabwe. Rhodes left nearly all his fortune of millions in sterling pounds to public service, of which the chief benefactions is the Rhodes Scholarships to Oxford. http://www.bulawayo1872.com/history/rhodescj.htm Jul 02 09, 1:06 AM