Welensky, Roy, 1907-1991

Roy Welensky was born on January 20, 1907, in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). He grew up in South Africa and began working for Rhodesia Railways in 1931 as a fireman. In 1934, Welensky moved to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), where he was elected to the legislative council in 1938. By the late 1940s, he had become a leading advocate for the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia. Welensky became a powerful political figure in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland which was created in 1953 with the unification of the British colonies of Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland (now Malawi). From 1953 to 1956, he was Minister of Transport, Communications, and Posts, from 1955 to 1956 he was leader of the House and Deputy Prime Minister, and from 1956 to 1963 he was Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs. With the dissolution of the federation on December 31, 1963, Welensky retired from politics. He died on December 5, 1991.

From the description of Roy Welensky papers, 1961-1972 (inclusive). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702125709

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