Passing of Edgar Samuel

Dear members of the JHSE,

I am sorry to be sharing this news, of the death of Edgar Samuel on 9 January 2023.

Edgar left his mark on our Society in the many roles he held and which are listed below. He was devoted not only to writing of Jewish history, the publication of sources on Jewish history, but also to the material remains of Jewish life, as Director of the Jewish Museum for over a decade. Even in retirement, he was a stalwart of the JHSE, and joined us at several online talks and discussions. Whenever he wrote to me with comments and suggestions, it was with the deepest commitment to our Society and its aims.

Many of you will have known Edgar Samuel and for those who did not, here is a short biographical entry. A more extensive appreciation of his work will follow.

May his memory be a blessing.

Edgar Samuel BA(Hons), M.Phil. FRHistS., FSMC DCLP was born in Hampstead in 1928. President JHSE (1988-1990) former Chairman of the Publications Committee of the JHSE, Past Director of the Jewish Museum (1983-1995) Member of the Records and Treasures Committee of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews Congregation, London Publication: At the End of the Earth Essays in the History of the Jews of England and Portugal (2004)

Miri Rubin, President of the JHSE