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The Hon. John Wrathall GCLM, ID
A sketch of John Wrathall
President of Rhodesia
In office 14 January 1976 – 31 August 1978
Prime Minister	Ian Smith
Preceded by	Clifford Dupont
Succeeded by	Henry Everard (Acting)
Minister of African Education
In office 1963 – 1964
Prime Minister	Ian Smith
Preceded by	Jack Howman
Succeeded by	Post abolished
Minister of Finance
In office 1964 – 1976
Prime Minister	Ian Smith
Preceded by	Ian Smith
Succeeded by	David Smith
Minister of Posts
In office 1964 – 1973
Prime Minister	Ian Smith
Preceded by	Ian Smith
Succeeded by	Roger Hawkins
Born	August 28, 1913 Lancaster United Kingdom
Died	August 31, 1978 Rhodesia
Alma mater	Lancaster Royal Grammar School
Profession	Chartered Accountant

John James Wrathall (August 28, 1913 – August 31, 1978) was a Rhodesian politician. He formerly worked as an accountant.

Presidential Flag (Rhodesia)

Wrathall was born in Lancaster, England and went to Lancaster Royal Grammar School. He qualified as a chartered accountant in 1935, and emigrated to Southern Rhodesia the next year. He worked for the Southern Rhodesian government in the income tax department.

In 1946 Wrathall set up in private practice as an accountant in Bulawayo and also became involved in politics. In 1949 he was elected to Bulawayo City Council, where he served for a decade. Wrathall was elected to the Legislative Assembly for Bulawayo South in the 1954 general election, as a member of the United Rhodesia Party then led by Garfield Todd. He stood down after one term in 1958.

By 1962 Wrathall was no longer a supporter of the United Federal Party and became a founder member of the Rhodesian Front under Winston Field. He was elected in Bulawayo North in the December 1962 election under the RF banner. As one of the most experienced members, in October 1963 he was made Minister of African Education. A month later he also took on the Ministry of Health, which was being transferred from the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland on its demise at the end of 1963.

Wrathall was among the members of the Rhodesian Front who deposed Winston Field and instead installed Ian Smith as Prime Minister in April 1964. Smith promoted him to be Minister of Finance and of Posts. As such, he was one of the signatories to the UDI on 11 November 1965. He was Deputy Prime Minister from September 7, 1966.

In July 1973 Wrathall ceded his responsibility as Minister of Posts and in the 1974 general election he stood down from the House of Assembly and transferred to the Senate. On January 14, 1976 he was sworn in as the second President of Rhodesia, succeeding Clifford Dupont. He served for two and a half years, and died in office.

• "Mr John Wrathall: President of Rhodesia" (Obituary), The Times, September 1, 1978
• F.M.G. Willson and G.C. Passmore, "Holders of Administrative and Ministerial Office 1894-1964" (University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Salisbury, Rhodesia, 1966)