Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
Bain, Andrew Geddes, 1797-1864
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Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1797-1864
History
Andrew Geddes Bain (1797-1864), came to South Africa in 1816, eventually settling in Graaff-Reinet. He soon acquired a reputation as a trader and explorer, writing a good deal about his experiences. After participating in the Sixth Frontier War, he accepted a job building military roads in the Eastern Province. In the mid 1840s Bain became Inspector of Roads for the Western Cape, and in this capacity built Michell's Pass, Houw Hoek Pass and in 1853, Bain's Kloof Pass. Bain is also known as the Father of South African geology. As a writer, Bain is still remembered for his play, Kaatje Kekkelbek.