Background
Benjamin was born in London on 2 September 1834 to Moses Benjamin and Catherine Benjamin, née Moses. After leaving school he joined M. Benjamin & Sons, his father"s import and export business.
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Sir JP
Edit ProfileMember of the Victorian Legislative Council
Career
His family left for Australia in 1843 on a boat named London. He retired from active involvement in business in 1878. Benjamin was heavily involved in the Melbourne Jewish community acting in various committee positions for the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation.
In 1870 he was elected to the Melbourne City Council in the Albert ward, becoming an Alderman in 1881 and Mayor between 1887 and 1889.
In 1888 as Mayor of Melbourne Benjamin welcomed the Russian ship Rynda and Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia who was visiting the Australian colonies in a goodwill mission in light of tensions between Britain and Russia. Benjamin was elected as a member for the Melbourne Province of the Victorian Legislative Council in 1889 and served until 1892.
Imperial Banking Company
He had offered personal guarantees on the bank"s finances. A subsequent court investigation cleared him but his reputation was reduced and he left public life.
Benjamin died at his home "Canally" at the corner of George and Powlett Streets in East Melbourne on 7 March 1905.
Lady Benjamin was a sister of Justice Cohen of Sydney. In 2009 a masonic apron believed to have been originally owned by Robert Burns and subsequently purchased by Benjamin was auctioned by Michael Bennett-Levy, a descendent of Benjamin.
Achievements
Membership
His tenure as a Member of the Legislative Council was brought to a close after he was declared bankrupt when the Imperial Banking Company collapsed.
Connections
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Born
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Died
March 7, 1905 (aged 70) -
Nationality
Australian