Curt von François

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Curt (Karl Bruno) von François (October 2, 1852 - December 28, 1931) was a military and political figure in the early days of German colonialism in Africa. He is primarily known as one of the pioneers of German Southwest Africa (present-day Namibia); however he also had considerable experience as a cartographer and administrator in other regions of the continent. He founded Windhoek.

In 1883, German merchant Adolf Lüderitz, purchases Angra Pequeña following negotiations with a local African chief. He calls the coastal region of southwestern African "Lüderitz". Fearing that Great Britain was soon about to declare the area a protectorate, Lüderitz advises the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck to claim it; which he does at the Berlin Conference of 1884.

In order to provide security to the territory, Germany sends Hauptmann (Captain) Curt von François to the British-held enclave of Walvis Bay in 1889. From there François and a handful of men trek to the former and completely destroyed village once founded by Jonker Afrikaner of Windhoek in the interior of the territory. It is here that François sets up headquarters of the German occupation (which he called Alte Feste (Old Fortress)). This location is chosen because Germany felt it would serve as a buffer zone between the Nama and Herero tribes.

From March 1891 until March 1894, François was commissioner of German Southwest Africa. During this time (1892) he established the coastal town of Swakopmund as the main harbour of German South West Africa. In 1893-94 he was involved in a series of battles with the Nama tribe led by Hendrik Witbooi. François was replaced by Theodor Leutwein as commissioner of German Southwest Africa in 1894.

The original Schutztruppe headquarters built by François in 1890 at Windhoek was expanded in 1912, and has been a museum since 1962.

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Biographies of Important Namibians

Persondata
NAME	François, Curt von
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	François, Kurt von; François, Curt Karl Bruno von
SHORT DESCRIPTION	carthographer and commissioner of German Southwest Africa, founder of Windhoek
DATE OF BIRTH	October 2, 1852
PLACE OF BIRTH	Luxembourg (city)
DATE OF DEATH	December 28, 1931
PLACE OF DEATH	Zernsdorf, Brandenburg