Benjamin Louis Cohen (1844 - 1909)

Born 18 Nov 1844 in England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Louisa Emily (Merton) Cohen — married 27 Apr 1870 in England. U.K.

Descendants

Died 8 Nov 1909 at age 64 in England, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Beverley Melchior [send private message]

Biography

Benjamin Cohen is Notable.

Sir Benjamin Louis was born in 1844. He passed away in 1909. ^[1]

Birth: November 18, 1844 Finsbury, London, England

Death: November 8, 1909 (64) Shoreham, Kent, England

Immediate Family: Son of Louis Cohen and Rebecca Floretta Cohen

Husband of Louisa Emily Cohen 1850-1931

Father of Sir Herbert Benjamin Cohen, 2nd Baronet of Highfield; Hannah Floretta Cohen; Arthur Merton Cohen and Ernest Merton Cohen

Brother of Albert Cohen; Louisa Cohen; Harry/Henry Louis Cohen; George Louis Cohen; Adelaide Sebag-Montefiore; Lionel Louis Cohen; Julia Jessel; Frances Cohen; Alfred Louis Cohen; Henrietta Moses; Joseph Louis Cohen; Samuel Louis Cohen; David Louis Cohen; Ellen Montagu, Dowager Baroness Swaythling; Isaac Louis Cohen and Nathaniel Louis Cohen

Sir Benjamin Louis Cohen, Baronet (18 November 1844 – 8 November 1909) was a British businessman and Conservative politician.

He was the son of Louis Cohen, a stockbroker, and his wife Rebecca Keyser.[1] After a private education he entered his father's firm. Apart from his business activities he was involved in public and political works and in supporting Jewish charities. In particular he served on the committees of the Stepney Jewish Schools, the Jews' Orphan Asylum and the Home for Aged Jews. He was also the President of the London Orphan Asylum.

In 1887 his brother, Lionel Louis Cohen, president of the Board of Guardians for the Relief of the Jewish Poor, died. Benjamin succeeded him in the post, holding the office until 1900. During his term he was very successful in raising large sums of money for the charity. He also altered the board's constitution, allowing women to be members.

In the 1880s he was involved in the resettlement of Russian Jews, and supported proto-Zionist groups seeking to settle in Palestine.

In 1889 he was elected as one of the members of the first London County Council, representing the City of London for the Conservative-supported Moderate Party. He retained the seat until 1904. His brothers, Alfred and Nathaniel, were also members of the council.

At the 1892 general election he was elected to the Commons as Unionist member of parliament for Islington East. He held the seat for eleven years, until he was defeated in the Liberal landslide of 1906.

In 1905 he was created a baronet "of Highfield in the parish of Shoreham and county of Kent".[4] Cohen died after a long illness at his home in Hyde Park Gardens, London, in November 1909 aged 64.

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Sources

http://www.thepeerage.com/p60242.htm

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4464-cohen-benjamin-louis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Benjamin_Cohen,_1st_Baronet

1. ↑ First-hand information as remembered by Beverley Melchior, Friday, December 12, 2014. Replace this citation if there is another source.

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