Eric Hendrik Louw

Eric Hendrik Louw studied at Stellenbosch and earned a law degree at Rhodes University College before practising as an advocate in Grahamstown. His father’s death during the 1918 influenza epidemic brought him back to Beaufort West to run the family business. In 1924 he entered Parliament as the town’s representative. ³

Louw established South Africa’s trade representation in the United States in 1925, also serving as trade commissioner in Canada. After a brief posting as high commissioner in London, he became the Union’s first diplomatic minister in Washington. The British ambassador conveyed the request for American agreement to his appointment in July 1929. Louw presented credentials to Herbert Hoover on 5 November, establishing South Africa’s legation. ^{3, 2, 1}

He transferred to Rome in 1933 and opened a legation in Paris the following year, with additional accreditation to Portugal. His work also included representing South Africa at the League of Nations. He resigned from the diplomatic service in 1937 and returned to Parliament in 1938. ³

After entering the cabinet in 1948, Louw held economic and finance portfolios and served as foreign minister from 1955 to 1963. Returning to Washington in October 1960, he discussed American space tracking facilities while challenging U.S. criticism of apartheid and the police killings at Sharpeville. He argued that South Africa’s cooperation deserved greater American understanding; Secretary of State Christian Herter replied that Washington could not support its racial policy. ^{4, 5}