Duncan Cumming
Encyclopedia
Major General Sir Duncan Cumming K.B.E., C.B.E., O.B.E. (10 August 1903 – 10 December 1979), was a twentieth century British colonial administrator. m 1930, Nancy Acheson Houghton (d 1971); one d
in North Yorkshire
and Caius College, Cambridge, where he read history. Whilst at Cambridge he played rugby
for England in 1925.
when it was captured during the second world war, to establish British military administration. He became Chief Administrator of Cyrenaica in 1942. In 1945 he became Chief Civil Affairs Officer, Middle East as a Major-General responsible to the War Office, 1945–48. From 1948 the military administrations were transferred to the Foreign Office under his influence. He became Governor of Kordofan Province
, Sudan, 1949 and Deputy Civil Secretary to the Sudan Government, 1950–51.
During, and after, the war he was responsible for the civil administration of all of the occupied Italian Colonies in the Middle East, of which Eritrea was one. Subsequently he worked for BOAC
as managing director of Associated Companies Ltd, 1955–59 and Adviser on African Affairs, 1959–64. He was also a biographer of the traveller Mansfield Parkyns.
Cumming was knighted in 1953. He was the honorary treasurer of the Royal Geographical Society
(1971–74) and president (1974–77). He was president of the Society for Libyan Studies (1969–74). He was a member of the Mount Everest Foundation 1971–77 and the British Institute in Eastern Africa.
Education
Cumming attended Giggleswick SchoolGiggleswick School
Giggleswick School is an independent co-educational boarding school in Giggleswick, near Settle, North Yorkshire, England.- Early school :...
in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
and Caius College, Cambridge, where he read history. Whilst at Cambridge he played rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
for England in 1925.
Career
From Cambridge Cumming joined the Sudan Political Service. In 1941 he was sent to EritreaEritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
when it was captured during the second world war, to establish British military administration. He became Chief Administrator of Cyrenaica in 1942. In 1945 he became Chief Civil Affairs Officer, Middle East as a Major-General responsible to the War Office, 1945–48. From 1948 the military administrations were transferred to the Foreign Office under his influence. He became Governor of Kordofan Province
Kurdufan
Kurdufan , also spelled Kordofan, is a former province of central Sudan. In 1994 it was divided into three new federal states: North Kurdufan, South Kurdufan, and West Kurdufan...
, Sudan, 1949 and Deputy Civil Secretary to the Sudan Government, 1950–51.
During, and after, the war he was responsible for the civil administration of all of the occupied Italian Colonies in the Middle East, of which Eritrea was one. Subsequently he worked for BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
as managing director of Associated Companies Ltd, 1955–59 and Adviser on African Affairs, 1959–64. He was also a biographer of the traveller Mansfield Parkyns.
Cumming was knighted in 1953. He was the honorary treasurer of the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
(1971–74) and president (1974–77). He was president of the Society for Libyan Studies (1969–74). He was a member of the Mount Everest Foundation 1971–77 and the British Institute in Eastern Africa.