One hundred years ago
Sir Moses Montefiore died on Tues- day, at his residence at Ramsgate, at the age of 100 years and nine months. He was one of the twelve Jewish brokers at the time when only twelve Jewish brokers were admitted to the Stock Exchange. He married in 1812, and retired from business in 1824, when he was only 40 years of age, and passed most of the rest of his life in benevolent enterprises, chiefly undertaken on be- half of the Jewish people. He was, however, a very loyal subject, and nearly the last interest he had was his wedding present to the Princess Beat- rice. His first visit to Palestine was made in 1827. He was Sheriff of London at the time of the Queen's Coronation, and this it was that gave him his knighthood.
In 1869 he headed the appeal on behalf of the Christians of Syria, who had been attacked by the Druses of Mount Lebanon. His pilgrimages to Palestine were in all seven in number, not ending till he was 90. In Palestine he endowed hospitals, almshouses, syna- gogues, planted gardens, and intro- duced a suitable agriculture. In 1862 he lost his wife, who was buried in the mausoleum at Ramsgate, where he is himself to lie.
Spectator, 1 August 1885
Previous page
