|
»»
HOME ««
The Van Riebeeck Society
was founded in 1918 with the purpose of making primary sources available in a readable and enjoyable form to
anyone interested in Southern African history. Since then a volume
has been published every year, with very rare exceptions. The
Society depends for its survival on its members, whose fees finance
the publications; and its editors, who have selected and edited the
volumes. Society publications have achieved a high academic standard
and out-of-print volumes have become valuable
Africana.
 |
Our latest
publication is the following:
|
South African Letters of Thomas
Pringle. Edited and introduced by Randolph Vigne
Thomas Pringle (1789–1834) is
remembered as ‘the father of English poetry’ in this country, as
leader of the only Scottish settler party in 1820 and as a champion
of the freedom of the press. He
worked for the relief of the hard-pressed settlers, the emancipation
of the Khoisan and protection of the Xhosa on the frontier from
retaliatory commando raids. In Cape Town he ran the South African
Public Library, edited, with his friend John Fairbairn, the Cape’s
first independent newspaper and the bi-monthly South African
Journal, and established a successful ‘classical and commercial
academy’ until all were brought down by the hostility of the
Governor, Lord Charles Somerset. He fought back but, financially
ruined, returned to Britain. His papers, sent to Cape Town by his
widow Margaret, were lost but surviving letters in other collections
here bring to life the character, outlook and South African career
of a notable figure in our history. Randolph Vigne has edited this
volume most ably. Read about his
new interpretation of
Pringle's role as settler, press freedom fighter and abolitionist.
2011
AGM and Launches
Read all about
these
on our
Activities page - also about how we had FOUR launches
of Thomas Pringle this year!
Great news!
We're now on Facebook! Click on
to add your views and comments
on this innovation
Extra-special
offer
for members only – rock-bottom prices!
In order to clear
some space in our store room, we have decided to make a special
offer to members only: you may order any of the back volumes
on the list at a price of R50 post
free (within South Africa) – as many copies as you like and as long as stocks last!
Contact Cora Ovens to place your orders
at
vanriebk@mweb.co.za
or 021 423 8424 (Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays 9.30 to 13.30
or leave a message when no one is in the office).
Gift Tokens
Hot
off the press! Now you can buy a gift membership or gift VRS volume
for a friend or family member on the occasion of a birthday,
anniversary, Christmas or just as an unbirthday present! Contact our
office for details. Remember that a gift subscription for a child or
grandchild could be the beginning of a lifelong love affair with
books!
Book Fair
Unfortunately there
was no Book Fair this year. The organisers have decided to hold
one every second year only. However, we'll be there in 2012! Read about our
2010 activities at the Book Fair last year on our
Activities page
|
