ESCOMBE, HARRY (1838-1899), South African states man, a member of a Somersetshire family, was born at Notting Hill, London, on July 25, 1838, and educated at St. Paul's school. He emigrated, in 1859, to the Cape. He practised as an attorney in Natal, and in 1872 was elected to the legislative council. In 188o he secured the appointment of a harbour board for Natal, and was himself made chairman. The transformation of the port of Durban into a harbour available for ocean liners was due to his energy. In 1888-89 he defended Dinizulu and other Zulu chiefs against a charge of high treason. On the grant of responsi ble government in 1893, he served as attorney general under Sir J. Robinson in the first ministry, and was prime minister of Natal in 1897 for a few months. In Oct. 1899 he prepared measures of defence against the invasion by the Boers. He died on Dec. 27, 1899.
The Speeches of the late Right Hon. Harry Escombe (Maritzburg, i9o3), ed. J. T. Henderson, contains brief biographical notes by Sir John Robinson and the editor.