The British Government is richer today by nearly one and a half million pounds in death dues, the windfall resulting from the will admitted to probate yesterday of Maurice Marcus who died in September at the age of 78, leaving nearly three million pounds from which the Government may claim almost half.
Publication of the will caused a sensation because Marcus’ wealth was an absolute secret and even his closest friends are astonished at the vastness of the fortune.
Marcus was unmarried. He made his fortune in South African diamonds and is said to have done his own bookkeeping to prevent knowledge of his fortune.
He was a friend of Cecil Rhoades. Numerous small bequests made to charities include 1000 pounds to the Jewish Board of Guardians.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
