COHEN, BENJAMIN LOUIS:

By: Joseph Jacobs, Edgar Mels

English politician and communal worker; member of Parliament for East Islington since 1892; born in London in 1844; son of Louis Cohen, founder of the firm of Louis Cohen & Sons, which he joined on reaching manhood. Cohen was educated privately, and on reaching maturity began a philanthropic career, both Jewish and general, especially interesting himself in technical education. He is a governor of St. Bartholomew's, Bridewell, and Bethlehem hospitals; life member and former vice-president of the Council of the United Synagogue; was president of the Jewish Board of Guardians from 1887 until June, 1900, and during his presidency arranged the transfer of the institution from its old quarters in Devonshire street to Middlesex street. Cohen has also been a member of the Jewish Board of Deputies, one of the presidents of the Hand-in-Hand and Widows' Home, the London Orphan Asylum, and vice-president of the Orphan Working School.

In 1888 Cohen was elected as a "Moderate" to the London County Council for the city, and in 1892 entered Parliament. Besides discharging these multifarious duties, Cohen was one of the original members of the Russo-Jewish committee, and acted as its treasurer till 1887.

J. E. Ms.