Charles Coghlan

Charles Coghlan was born and educated in South Africa where he studied law. He came to Bulawayo in 1900 to start a law firm. While practicing law he developed an interest in the politics of the day, whereby he supported the Rhodesian settlers in their protests against the British South African Company rule.

He was elected to the Southern Rhodesian Legislative Council in 1908. After his election into the legislative council he supported the renewal of the British South Africa Company Royal Charter to administer the Rhodesian colony for another ten years after the company made considerable concessions, and strongly opposed the amalgamation of Southern Rhodesia with either Northern Rhodesia and the Union of South Africa. 

Coghlan started to support the Responsible Government Association and in 1921 led a delegation to London to discuss the Responsible Government. The aim for a Responsible Government was achieved in 1923 and Coghlan became the First Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia and Bulawayo Legislative member until his death on the 28th of August 1927 his body and remains where interred at “World View” in the Matopo hills near Cecil John Rhodes grave in 1930.