Hertzog, James Barry Munnik (1866-1942)

South African politician, prime minister 1924-39, founder of the Nationalist Party in 1913 (the United South African National Party from 1933). He opposed South Africa's entry into both world wars.

Hertzog was born in Cape Colony of Boer descent. In 1914 he opposed South African participation in World War I. After the 1924 elections Hertzog became prime minister, and in 1933 the Nationalist Party and General Smuts's South African Party were merged as the United South African National Party. In September 1939 his motion against participation in World War II was rejected, and he resigned.