About Hans Sauer
Lived 1857 – 1939 (aged 82). Hans Sauer was a South African lawyer and surgeon.
Hans Sauer (11 June 1857 - 28 August 1939) was an Orange Free State born medical doctor, lawyer, adventurer and businessman. He is regarded as a Rand Pioneer, arriving in Johannesburg in 1886 shortly after the discovery of gold and was the town's first district surgeon. He is linked with the creation of Rhodesia.
Early life and education Johannes Sauer was born in Smithfield, Orange Free State in 1857. He is the brother of J.W. Sauer. His mother was Elizabeth W.S.M. Kotzé. In a growing mining town, he soon had many interests but his main appointment was on 6 March 1887 as Johannesburg's first district surgeon with friend Ignatius Ferreira sometimes acting as his anaesthetist.
Death He would return to the United Kingdom in 1900 and died in Dinant, Belgium in 1939. Sauer Town West, a suburb in Bulawayo, is named after him.
Published works
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Important facts
People in Hans Sauer's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Hans Sauer's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Hans Sauer?
South African lawyer
When was Hans Sauer born?
Hans Sauer was born on 11 June 1857 in Smithfield.
When did Hans Sauer die?
Hans Sauer died on 28 August 1939.
What was Hans Sauer's occupation?
Hans Sauer was a lawyer and surgeon.
What nationality was Hans Sauer?
Hans Sauer was South African.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hans Sauer. https://biography.guide/hans-sauer/
MLA: "Hans Sauer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hans-sauer/.
Chicago: "Hans Sauer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hans-sauer/.
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