Whitehead, Edgar (Cuthbert Fremantle) (1905–1971)

Rhodesian politician, leader of the United Rhodesia Party and prime minister of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) 1958–62. He gained the premiership when his predecessor Garfield Todd was dropped by his party for his liberal views. However, even Whitehead's more conservative programme was rejected in 1962 by the White electorate in favour of the racist Rhodesian Front.

Whitehead was born in England, and educated at University College, Oxford. He emigrated to Rhodesia in 1928 and was first elected to the legislative assembly in 1939. After war service and a year as Rhodesian High Commissioner in London, he returned to act as minister of finance in 1946–53. Following his electoral defeat in 1962, he continued to sit in the assembly, but retired to England when Ian Smith declared unilateral independence (UDI) in 1965.