The Resume

(May 24, 1870-September 11, 1950)
Born in Bovenplaats, South Africa
Led commando forces for the Transvaal in the Second Boer War (1899-1902)
In World War I, led a South African army that captured German Southwest Africa and the British Army in East Africa
British field marshall during World War II
Two-time prime minister of South Africa (1919-24, 1939-48)

Why he might be annoying:

As Treasury Secretary, he broke a railroad strike by deporting union leaders without trial, then having Parliament retroactively absolve him of any legal consequences (1914).
He supported racial segregation.
He said of black Africans, 'These children of nature have not the inner toughness and persistence of the European, not those social and moral incentives to progress which have built up European civilization in a comparatively short period.'
He wrote the preamble to the United Nations Charter while practicing policies that violated the Charter itself.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was an amateur botanist who went on several scientific expeditions between his stints as prime minister.
He served in the Imperial War Cabinet during both WWI and WWII, and is the only leader to have signed the treaties ending both wars.
He was considered so important to the British war effort that Winston Churchill's private secretary suggested to King George VI that if Churchill died or became incapacitated before the war ended, Smuts should be appointed British Prime Minister.
He was defeated as Prime Minister after his government issued a report concluding that complete racial segregation was not practical and restrictions on black immigration to cities should be lifted.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Attorney
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 24]
• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [May] (Ranked: 5241870)
• Generals and Admirals
• I am South African
• I Attended Cambridge
• I Died in 1950 (Ranked: 80)
• I Died on September 11th (Ranked: 1950)
• I Outlived My Child
• Look at Me, I'm on the Cover of Life
• Look at My Magazine Cover
• Profiles 27001-27250 (Ranked: 27187)
• Served in World War I
• Served in World War II

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 23 Votes: 56.52% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 8 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 43.75% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 28 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 13 Votes: 76.92% Annoying