Daniel Cloete, a colonial official, was an active member of the South African Institution (Cape Town, 1829-1832), the first voluntary society in southern Africa devoted entirely to science. He was a member by early 1830, when he delivered a paper, "Notes on the culture of the vine, and on the making of wine", which was published in the South African Quarterly Journal (January-March 1830, No. 2, pp. 128-131). In June 1831 he was elected a member of council of the Institution. The next year the Institution amalgamated with the South African Literary Society to form the South African Literary and Scientific Institution. A Mr. D.J. Cloete, presumably the same person, was a member of this society, though not an office bearer. D.J. Cloete was probably Daniel Jacob Cloete (1800-1879).

List of sources:

Bregman, L.D. "Snug little coteries": A history of scientific societies in early nineteenth century Cape Town, 1824-1835. PhD thesis, University College, London, 2003.

[Cape of Good Hope]. The South African almanac and directory, 1829, Directories of Cape Town; 1832, p. 115: "South African Institution".

South African Commercial Advertiser, 25 June 1831, p. 2: "South African Institution".

South African Literary and Scientific Institution. Regulations..., pp. 14-16, list of members. Cape Town: George Greig, 1832. (South African Library, SABP 4).

South African Quarterly Journal, 1830, No. 2 (Cloete's paper); 1831, No. 5, pp. 102-111: "Notices of the proceedings of the South African Institution".

Compiled by: C. Plug

Last updated: 2023-12-13 11:52:22