Dick King

Dick King

Saviour of Natal
BornRichard Philip King
(1811-11-26)26 November 1811
Dursley, Gloucestershire, England
Died10 November 1871(1871-11-10) (aged 59)
Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Resting placeIsipingo Cemetery, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
SpouseClara Jane Noon (m.1852)
ChildrenMaria Recordonza, Richard Phillip Henry, Clara Elvira, Francis Richard, Georgina Adelaide, Catherine Tatham, Charles Richard
ParentsPhilip King, Anna Maria Silverstone

Richard Philip King (1811–1871) was an English trader and colonist at Port Natal, a British trading station in the region now known as KwaZulu-Natal. He is best known for a historic horseback ride in 1842, where he completed a journey of 960 kilometres (600 mi) in 10 days, to request help for the besieged British garrison at Port Natal (now the Old Fort, Durban). In recognition of his heroic deeds, a statue was unveiled in Durban portraying himself riding his horse 'Sunny’. Additionally, he was bestowed with an estate in Isipingo. Several prominent landmarks in Durban, including the Kings Park Rugby Stadium, Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, the former soccer stadium (now called Moses Mabhida), and Kingsway High School, were named in his honour.