Who was James Stevenson-Hamilton?

James Stevenson-Hamilton was a South African soldier, hunter, conservationist, and the first warden of the Kruger National Park. He was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1867 and raised in South Africa.

In 1902, Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed as the first warden of the newly established Sabi Game Reserve, which would later become the Kruger National Park. He was tasked with overseeing the management and protection of the reserve's wildlife and natural resources.

Stevenson-Hamilton was a strong advocate for conservation and worked tirelessly to protect the wildlife and habitats of the Kruger Park. He established a number of anti-poaching measures, including a system of ranger patrols, and was instrumental in the eradication of many diseases that threatened the park's wildlife.

During his tenure as warden, Stevenson-Hamilton also oversaw the construction of many of the park's early infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and campsites. He remained in the position of warden until 1946, making him the longest-serving warden in the park's history.

Stevenson-Hamilton was recognized for his contributions to conservation in South Africa and was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1927. He died in Pretoria in 1957 at the age of 90, and is remembered as a pioneering figure in the history of wildlife conservation in South Africa.