| Intro | South African writer |
| Was | Writer |
| From | South Africa |
| Type | Literature |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 6 May 1867, Devon, South West England, England, United Kingdom |
| Death |
6 March 1921 (aged 53 years) |
Frederick Carruthers Cornell OBE (6 May 1867 – 6 March 1921) was born in Devon, England, and educated at the Bedford School. He studied music and languages in London. In 1902, he came to South Africa, and displayed great interest in Namaqualand. During the First World War he served with the South African Native Labour Corps in which he served as a Lieutenant, and was the first to notify the South African forces that the Germans had crossed into the Cape from German South West Africa. He was an editor of “The Cape Register”. His publications include a volume of reminiscences The Glamour of Prospecting (1920). His collection of short stories, some of which are considered to be among South Africa’s finest, are found in A Rip Van Winkle of the Kalahari and Other Tales of South West Africa. (1915)
He also wrote martial poetry, including “A Soldier’s Song” about the Battle of Delville Wood in World War One.
He was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his military service.
He was married, and had seven children.
Publications
- A Rip Van Winkle of the Kalahari, 1915
- The Glamour of Prospecting, 1920