Sir Philip Sassoon Dead in London at 50

Sir Philip Sassoon, since 1937 First Commissioner of Public Works and former Undersecretary for Air, died yesterday at his residence. His death, at the age of 50, followed a two months’ illness.

Sir Philip’s father was the second Baronet Sassoon and his mother was the daughter of Baron Gustave de Rothschild. Sir Philip, known as one of the richest members of the House of Commons, was an heir to the family fortune founded by his great-grandfather, David Sassoon, merchant and banker, who was born in Baghdad and emigrated to Bombay.