Benjamin Louis Cohen

Benjamin Louis Cohen was born at 5 South Street (now Dominion Street) in Finsbury. His father was a successful stockbroker and the family was well-to-do. Benjamin followed into his father’s business, but appears to have been more interested in public service and public works.

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, and succeeded his brother Lionel Louis, on the latter’s death, as president of the Board of Guardians for the Relief of the Jewish Poor. He is said to have been very successful in raising money for the Board, which was the chief source of help for destitute Jews before the introduction of the Welfare State several decades later. He is also credited with amending the Board’s constitution to allow women members.

In addition to his public works, he had a distinguished political career. He was elected to the first slate of London County Councillors in 1889, sitting for the Moderate Party (which supported the Conservatives from what would today probably be classed as a centrist position), and retained the seat until 1904. Meanwhile, he had been elected to the House of Commons in 1902 as Unionist member for Islington East, which seat he held until 1906. The year before, he had been created a baronet, making him Sir Benjamin Louis Cohen.