Diaries of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, Volume 1 (of 2) / Comprising Their Life and Work as Recorded in Their Diaries, from 1812 to 1883

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26170

Title

Diaries of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, Volume 1 (of 2) / Comprising Their Life and Work as Recorded in Their Diaries, from 1812 to 1883

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edited by Dr. L. Loewe, this volume presents the diaries of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore (1812–1883), chronicling their philanthropic missions, advocacy for Jewish emancipation, and humanitarian work across Europe and the Holy Land.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1890 and edited by Dr. L. Loewe, who personally accompanied the couple on numerous missions, *Diaries of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, Volume 1* offers an intimate chronicle of the lives and benevolent works of Sir Moses Montefiore and Lady Judith Cohen Montefiore from 1812 to 1883. The volume compiles their journals, correspondence, speeches, and official documents, providing a dual perspective on their shared commitment to humanity and their distinct roles within the family and public sphere. The narrative begins with Sir Moses's early life in Leghorn and his rise as a stockbroker in London, where he became a pivotal figure in the struggle for Jewish emancipation in Britain. Key events include the passage of the Jewish Disabilities Bill and his high-profile advocacy before Parliament and the Duke of Wellington. The text details the couple's extensive philanthropic travels, highlighting their interventions in cases of persecution across Europe and the Middle East. Significant missions include their efforts to secure civil rights for Jews in Russia, where Sir Moses successfully petitioned the Czar against the restrictive Ukase of 1844, and their dramatic rescue of Jewish prisoners in Damascus following the infamous Damascus Affair. The volume also covers their work in Morocco, where they secured an imperial decree granting Jews equal privileges to Muslims, and their projects to improve the lives of Jewish communities in Palestine, including agricultural initiatives in Safed and Jerusalem. Rich with anecdotes and personal reflections, the book captures the couple's daily lives, from attending state balls at Buckingham Palace to visiting the humble dwellings of working-class families in Birmingham. It underscores the profound personal sacrifices made by both Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, who worked tirelessly despite illness and the death of family members. The narrative serves as both a historical record of 19th-century Jewish history and a testament to the enduring legacy of compassion, courage, and unwavering dedication to justice that defined the Montefiore family's life and work.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26170.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg26170.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-03 22:28 UTC

Categories

• Biography
• History
• Travel
• Diaries