South African statesman born in London; Educated at Harcourt's private school, Surry, England. Had so severe a quarrel with his brother that he left England, went to Cape Town, where he was employed as assitant to Public Librarian, 1831.

Started a commercial business Molteno Merchant Co, 1837. He was involved in various business activities until the slump of 1842-43 forced him to sell up.

He started sheep farming at Nelspoort, in the district of Beaufort West, South Africa 1840-41. Bought Claremont home in 1841. Was engaged in the wool trade in the great Karoo, 1842-52. It was while living on the farm that his first wife Maria Hewitson died in childbirth, 15 July 1845. His property grew until he had 85,600 hectares (he owned huge estates) and was a pioneer wool farmer - he introduced the first Saxon Merino Sheep to the Karoo. He also established the first bank in Beaufort. He became a wealthy & influential man.

Burgher and commandant in Kaffir war, 1846 where he served in the local commando; Visited England 1851. Married his second wife Elizabeth Maria Jarvis 20 Oct 1851. He had 14 children with her between 1852-1874. After the frontier wars he put managers on his farms and returned to mercantile pursuits and local politics, 1852; First member for Beaufort in Cape legislative assembly, 1854. Advocated responsible government and known as "the Lion of Beaufort West" and became first Cape premier, December 1871.

Undertook the "Grand Tour" of Europe with his two daughters Betty & Caroline in 1871. Visited the Postojinka cave in Slovenia, Postojna, Adelsberger grotte as noted in visitors book. During their tour of Europe Molteno and his daughters wrote letters to their family & friends (Uni of Cape Town Archives BC 330 Molteno-Murray Papers). He returned from his European tour on the RMS Northam from Southhampton 18 April 1872.

Wife Elizabeth died 8 April 1874.

Married his third wife Minnie Blenkins in 1875. He had a further 4 children. Came into conflict on questions of policy and administration with Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere [q.v.], who dismissed him from office, 3 Feb 1878; colonial secretary, 1881-2; Knighted K.C.M.G., 1882. Retired 1883 and died in Cape Town on 1 Sept 1886.

Excerpts from Alice Greene's diary:

1.1.1891 Claremont - ''I am now in Lady Molteno's house, -one of the very loveliest spots in God's beautiful world. Just in front towers splendid old Table Mountain, all shimmering & hazy with the intense heat, but here where I am sitting, it is cool as on an English lawn. For the sun never gets under these shady oaks in front of the verandah & the whole garden & all the fields around are shaded by magnolias & oleanders & firs and all sorts of beautiful trees. The grapes and peaches are ripening in the vineyards, but strawberries and apricots are already in full fling & you can eat as much as you will."

13.1.1891 Claremont- "You cannot think in what a lovely place I am living...but there are one or two little drawbacks. For instance you must look for snakes."

7.8.1892 Alice wrote about the Karoo-
"It was a district where Miss Molteno's father lived for many years & accumulated vast property. This is now parcelled out into a number of Farms, each of which is thousands & thousands of acres in extent so that it takes a whole day to travel from one homestead to another. Farms are still in the hands of the Molteno family & it was here that we travelled about... Miss (Betty) Molteno tried to collect stories or traditions of her father, who lived absolutely alone on the farms for seven years. The only story she could hear rather took her aback. A particular rock on a lonely hill-top is known as Sir John Molteno's stone because he used to crouch behind it with his gun to shoot down Bushmen! He used to say he would like to be buried at the spot known as Splitz-kop (or Speltz-kop?) - a tall lonely peak."