Robert James Hudson

Major Sir Robert James Hudson, (15 May 1885 – 17 June 1963), was twice acting Governor of Southern Rhodesia.

Early life and career Born in Mossel Bay, Cape Colony, the son of George Matthews Hudson, Hudson was educated at Diocesan College, Rondebosch and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where in 1908 he became the first South African to gain a half blue for tennis.

Hudson was called to the Bar Middle Temple in 1909 and moved to Rhodesia to practice as a barrister in Bulawayo.

Political career Following the war, Hudson returned to Bulawayo and continued to work as a barrister, gaining praise as "the leading advocate in Southern Rhodesia." Following the confirmation of responsible government to Southern Rhodesia in 1923, the colony's first Premier, Sir Charles Coghlan, appointed Hudson as Attorney-General of Southern Rhodesia, an appointment considered "unusual" at the time as Hudson was not a member of Coghlan's Rhodesia Party. knighted in 1944 and promoted to K.C.M.G. in 1950. Additionally, on 19 August 1943, it was announced that Hudson was allowed to officially retain the title "Honourable", as he had served more than three years on the Executive Council of Southern Rhodesia.

He was also appointed Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix by King Pávlos of the Hellenes in 1950.

Personal life

Hudson married Constance de Beer in 1920. Following her death in 1925, Hudson remarried in 1928 to Millicent Bruce, daughter of George Sutherland. They had a son and a daughter.

Hudson died aged 78 in Salisbury on 17 June 1963, survived by his wife, son and daughter.