Rufus Daniel Isaacs was a British lawyer and statesman. He was the first Jew, who became Lord Chief Justice of England, and the first, and as yet only, British Jew to be raised to a marquessate.
Background
Rufus Daniel Isaacs was born on October 10, 1860 in London. 2nd son of late Joseph M. Isaacs, merchant in City of London. Son of a London fruit merchant, he was a rebellious child and at the age of sixteen spent a year at sea as a ship’s boy. The family had lived for several generations in England; his great-uncle was the boxer, Daniel Mendoza and his uncle was lord mayor of London.
Education
At the age of nineteen he went into the stock market, but a few years later was suspended following his failure to meet his financial obligations. He then studied law and became a barrister in 1887.
Career
His forensic talents were spectacular and he enjoyed great success as leading counsel in many famous cases. Isaacs represented the crown in two sensational cases: the Seddon murder trial (where his cross-examination was crucial in obtaining a conviction) and the Archer-Shee (“Winslow Boy”) case.
He became very wealthy and received numerous honors, being elected to Parliament in 1904 as a Liberal Intperalist. In 1910 he was appointed attorney-general and also knighted. His career stagnated briefly because of his involvement in the Marconi scandal, in which he and other ministers were accused of benefiting from a government contract with the Marconi Company. Three months alter a select committee cleared the ministers of the charges, Isaacs was made lord chief justice, the lirst (and so far, the only) Jew to hold the post. He was raised to the peerage, taking the title of Lord Reading.
During World War I he was sent by the British government to the United States where he negotiated a 500 million dollar war loan and was the key link between British Prime Minister David Lloyd George and President Woodrow Wilson (through his contacts with Colonel Edward House). He was special ambassador to Washington, convincing the American government to make a full commitment to the war. He also played a role in the postwar peace negotiations.
Achievements
Religion
Although always an open Jew, Isaacs had no religious identity and his reactions to Zionism were guarded.
Views
Quotations:
He did say in 1915, “the Jews ought to have a place of their own and a government of their own. They ought not to be fighting for their separate interests in the life of foreign nations.”
Membership
Clubs: Reform, Garrick.
Interests
Golf, tennis, cycling, riding, rowing.
Connections
Spouse 1887, Alice Edith, 3rddaughter of late Albert Cohen, merchant, City ot London.