Harry Escombe

A member of a Somersetshire family, Escombe was born at Notting Hill, London, and was educated at St Paul's School.

[1] The transformation of the port of Durban into a harbour available for ocean liners was as a result of his and Cathcart William Methven's work.

For several years he opposed the grant of responsible government to Natal, but by 1890 had become convinced of its desirability, and on its conferment in 1893 he joined the first ministry formed, serving under Sir John Robinson as attorney-general.

[1] In the summer of that year he was in London with the other colonial premiers at the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, and was made a member of the privy council.

The election that followed his return to Natal proved unfavourable to his policy, and he was succeeded in office, in October 1897, by Sir Henry Binns.