Marthinus Wessel Pretorius

Born: 17 September 1819
Died: 19 May 1901
Updated: 23 Aug 2019

Summary

Boer statesman and soldier

Marthinus Wessel Pretorius was born in September 17, 1819, near Graaff-Reinet in the then Cape Colony. He was a boer statesman, soldier, eldest son of the Great Trek leader Andries Pretorius, and the first president of the South African Republic and founder of Pretoria. He died on the 19th of May , 1901, in Potchefstroom.

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, February 17). Marthinus Wessel Pretorius. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/B-0008916

South African History Online (2011) 'Marthinus Wessel Pretorius', South African History Online, 17 February. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/B-0008916 (Accessed: 21 September 2026).

South African History Online, Marthinus Wessel Pretorius [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/B-0008916, (accessed 21 September 2026).

"Marthinus Wessel Pretorius." South African History Online, 17 Feb. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/B-0008916. Accessed 21 Sept. 2026.

South African History Online. "Marthinus Wessel Pretorius." South African History Online. February 17, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/B-0008916.