Thomas Ekins Fuller

Sir Thomas Ekins Fuller KCMG (1831–1910) was editor of the Cape Argus newspaper and a prominent Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Cape Colony.

Sir Thomas Ekins Fuller KCMG
Thomas Ekins Fuller, caricatured by WH Schroeder
Agent-General for Cape Colony
In office 1 January 1902 – 1907
Prime Minister	Sir Gordon Sprigg Sir Leander Starr Jameson
Member of the Cape House of Assembly for Cape Town
In office 1878–1902
Personal details
Born	24 August 1831 West Drayton, Middlesex, England
Died	5 September 1910 (aged 79) Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England
Political party	Progressive
Education	Bristol Baptist College
Occupation	Journalist, Businessman, Politician

Initially a moderate follower of the "Cape Liberal Tradition", he advocated for responsible government (local democracy) in the 1860s as editor of the Cape Argus newspaper (1864-1873). He also supported the inclusive, locally oriented politics of his liberal allies at the time.

Fuller is visible on the far-right of the front row. He attended the 1902 Colonial Conference as Agent-General for the Cape.

Between 1873 and 1875 he worked with immigration in London, before returning to the Cape to become General Manager of the Union Steamship Company (1875-1898) and Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Cape Colony (MLA for Cape Town, 1879-1900).

Although initially a liberal, in later life, he came to be greatly influenced by the imperialist Cecil Rhodes, of whom he eventually became a devoted admirer. Finally in 1898, he even became a director of the De Beers Consolidated Mines Company.[1]