Sir Moses Montefiore (
October 24,
1784-
July 28,
1885) Probably the most famous
British-
Jew in the
19th century, Sir Moses Montefiore was a financier, stockbroker, philanthropist and also the
Sheriff of
London. Born in
Leghorn,
Italy, Montefiore grew to be 6 ft 3 at the age of 20. Montefiore was elected as the Sheriff of London in
1837 and served until
1838. Montefiore was knighted that same year by
Queen Victoria and recieved a baronetcy in
1846 in addition to his services to humanitarian causes on behalf of the Jewish people.
He was president of the British Board of Deputies[?] from 1835-1874, a period of 29 years, the longest tenure ever. Sir Moses's 100th birthday was celebrated as a national event in his native Britain and by the Jewish community in Palestine.