page_title: Sir David Graaff, 1st Baronet
section_title: Political career (1908–1919)
hierarchical_section_title: Sir David Graaff, 1st Baronet / Political career (1908–1919)
caption_attribution_description: Afrikaans: Die eerste kabinet van die Unie van Suid-Afrika in 1910 onder leierskap van Eerste minister Louis Botha.[1] Agter: J.B.M. Hertzog, Henry Burton, F.R. Moor, C. O'Grady Gubbins, Jan Smuts, H.C. Hull, F.S. Malan, David Graaff Voor: J.W. Sauer, Louis Botha, Abraham Fischer English: The first cabinet of the Union of South Africa in 1910 under the leadership of Prime Minister Louis Botha Back: J. B. M. Hertzog, Henry Burton, F. R. Moor, C. O'Grady Gubbins, Jan Smuts, H. C. Hull, F. S. Malan, David Graaff Front: J. W. Sauer, Louis Botha, Abraham Fischer
context_page_description: Sir David Pieter de Villiers Graaff, 1st Baronet was a South African cold storage magnate and politician. Graaff revolutionized the cold storage industry in Africa. He founded the Imperial Cold Storage and Supply Company in 1899, and aggressively ran it until he left to serve in government. Graaff grew the company into one of the largest in Africa. Graaff's wealth soared, at the turn of the century. During World War I he personally part financed the South African war effort and for this he was knighted as well as for services at the Paris Peace Conference 1919.
context_section_description: Graaff was a member of parliament again from 1908 to 1920. He was Minister without Portfolio in the Cape Colony's last cabinet (1908–1910).  A close friend and confidant of Gen Louis Botha, the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa, he was created a baronet in 1911 and served as Minister of Public Works and of Posts and Telegraphs (1911–1912), Minister without Portfolio (1912–1913), High Commissioner in London for Union of South Africa (1914) and Minister of Finance (1915–1916).  He was a Member of House of Assembly for the Union of South Africa from 1910 to 1920.
  He accompanied Botha to the Versailles peace conference in 1919.  He was also a close confidant of Gen Jan Smuts and Winston Churchill. He was a member of the National Liberal Club.
caption: The first cabinet of the Union of South Africa in 1910.  Graaff is the first person on the far right.
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