Frederick David Mocatta

Who was Frederick David Mocatta?

Frederic David Mocatta, tycoon and philanthropist of a noble Anglo-Jewish family, was a member of the London financial firm, Mocatta & Goldsmid, but retired from business in 1874 and devoted himself to works of public and private benevolence, especially in the deprived East End of London. Besides this he was a patron of learning and himself an author of historical works, the chief of which was The Jews of Spain & Portugal and the Inquisition. On the occasion of his 70th birthday, he was presented with a testimonial from more than 200 philanthropic and literary institutions. The Anglo-Jewish Historical Exhibition owed its inception to him. He bequeathed his fine library to the Jewish Historical Society of England, of which he was at one time president. This library formed the basis of the collections which are now included in the Mocatta Library, founded in his memory, and located at the University of London. A fountain was erected to his memory by the people of East London, outside St Botolph's Church in Aldgate. A man of letters, he had vast correspondences with the great and the good of his era. In matters of religion, he was observant and belonged not only to two Orthodox synagogues but also to a Reform congregation that his family had played a prominent part in founding in London.