Sir Samuel Joseph, Former Lord Mayor of London, Dead; First Jew to Hold Post in 40 Years

Sir Samuel George Joseph, Lord Mayor of London for 1942-1943, died here yesterday. He was 56. A veteran of World War I, in which he served as a captain in the Royal Irish Regiment, Sir Samuel was active in many Jewish and non-Jewish humanitarian causes. Prior to his election as Lord Mayor he was Sheriff of the City of London and a member of the Board of Aldermen. He was made a Baron by King George in November, 1943, when he retired as Lord Mayor.

Sir Samuel who was the first Jew to be named Lord Mayor of London in 40 years, evinced, great interest in Jewish communal affairs and during his term as Lord Mayor participated in the re-dedication of the destroyed Great Synagogue of London and issued an appeal to British Jews to uphold the fine reputation they had won. Last year he sent a message to American Jews lauding the cooperation between the Jewish communities of Britain and the United States in maintaining “the ideals for which Judaism stands.”