Editing Rudyard Kipling (section)

===Visits to South Africa===
[[File:Ralph, Landon, Gwynne and Kipling 1900-1901.jpg|thumb|upright|H.A. Gwynne, Julian Ralph, Perceval Landon, and Rudyard Kipling in South Africa, 1900–1901]]
In early 1898, the Kiplings travelled to South Africa for their winter holiday, so beginning an annual tradition which (except the following year) would last until 1908. They would stay in "The Woolsack", a house on [[Cecil Rhodes]]'s estate at [[Groote Schuur]] (now a student residence for the [[University of Cape Town]]), within walking distance of Rhodes' mansion.<ref>"Something of Myself", published 1935, South Africa Chapter</ref>

With his new reputation as ''Poet of the Empire'', Kipling was warmly received by some of the influential politicians of the [[Cape Colony]], including Rhodes, Sir [[Alfred Milner]], and [[Leander Starr Jameson]]. Kipling cultivated their friendship and came to admire the men and their politics. The period 1898–1910 was crucial in the history of South Africa and included the [[Second Boer War]] (1899–1902), the ensuing peace treaty, and the 1910 formation of the [[Union of South Africa]]. Back in England, Kipling wrote poetry in support of the British cause in the Boer War and on his next visit to South Africa in early 1900, became a correspondent for ''The Friend'' newspaper in [[Bloemfontein]], which had been commandeered by [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Lord Roberts]] for British troops.<ref>Reilly, Bernard F., Center for Research Libraries, Chicago, Illinois. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140222132453/http://h-net.msu.edu/cgi-bin/logbrowse.pl?trx=vx&list=h-afresearch&month=0612&week=b&msg=rGSqyFg7ajBdQWonA2aDgg&user=&pw email to Marion Wallace] ''The Friend newspaper'', Orange Free State, South Africa.</ref>

Although his journalistic stint was to last only two weeks, it was Kipling's first work on a newspaper staff since he left ''The Pioneer'' in [[Allahabad]] more than ten years before.<ref name="gilmour" /> At ''The Friend'', he made lifelong friendships with [[Perceval Landon]], [[Howell Arthur Gwynne|H. A. Gwynne]], and others.<ref>[[C. E. Carrington|Carrington, C. E.]] (1955). ''The life of Rudyard Kipling'', [[Doubleday & Co.]], Garden City, NY, p. 236.</ref> He also wrote articles published more widely expressing his views on the conflict.<ref name="NYT1900">{{cite news |last=Kipling |first=Rudyard |title=Kipling at Cape Town: Severe Arraignment of Treacherous Afrikanders and Demand for Condign Punishment By and By |work=The New York Times |page=21 |date=18 March 1900 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1900/03/18/101053848.pdf |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225184303/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1900/03/18/101053848.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Kipling penned an inscription for the [[Honoured Dead Memorial]] in Kimberley.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aidin |first=Michael |date=2021-07-29 |title=Kipling and Memorials to the War Dead |url=https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/readers-guide/rg_kent_aidin-2.htm |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=The Kipling Society |language=en-GB}}</ref>