Sir Frederick Robert Moor,KCMG, PC (12 May 1853 – 18 March 1927) was a South African politician who served as the last Prime Minister of theColony of Natal between 1906 and 1910.[1]
Moor was born inPietermaritzburg, the son of Frederick William Moor 1830-1886 and Sarah Annabella Ralfe 1831 - 1915 and grandson of Col. John William Moor 1787-1833 and Mary Ann Price 1793 - 1878. His grandmother, Mary Ann, died at the home of her youngest son (Frederick's father), Brakfontein, July 8, 1878. He was aByrne Settler. He was educated at the Hermannsburg School. Aged nineteen, Moor went to the newly-discovered diamond fields atKimberley, where he met his wife and remained for seven years. In 1879, he sold his claims and returned to Natal to farm. In 1886, he was elected to the Natal Legislative Council for Weenen County, and agitated forresponsible government. He served as Minister of Native Affairs between 1893–97 and 1899–1903. As minister, he strongly favoured upholding customary law and the power of native chiefs.[1]
In November 1906, he succeededCharles John Smythe as prime minister. He strongly supported the unification of South Africa. When theUnion of South Africa was established in 1910 the position of prime minister of Natal lapsed, and Moor became Minister of Commerce and Industries inLouis Botha's cabinet, but was quickly defeated in the1910 election. He was then nominated to theSenate, and served until 1920. That year he retired to his farm nearEstcourt.[1]
Moor was sworn of thePrivy Council in 1907 when he attended that year'sImperial Conference, and appointed KCMG in 1911.[1]
