Henry & Alice Lucas

Henry Lucas (1842 -1910) &

Alice Julia Lucas (nee Montefiore) (1851-1935)

Henry Lucas trained as a barrister, one of the first jews to join Lincoln’s Inn.  He served the United Synagogue with quiet distinction from 1881 to 1907, following his grandfather, father and elder brothers who all held office in the United Synagogue. His tenure as Treasurer, Chairman and President was a period when “the US made prodigious strides to represent every important congregation in the Metropolis”. He was also Chairman and Treasurer of University Hospital and a Member of Council at University College London.

He joined the Artists Rifles in the early 1860s. The 38th Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Corps (The Artists) was “raised by artist Edward Sterling on 10th May 1860 as part of the volunteer movement which arose over concerns about a possible French invasion”. The 38th was composed of painters, sculptors, engravers, musicians, architects and actors. Lord Leighton was an early volunteer, rising to commanding Officer. Henry Lucas must have been one of the few Jewish volunteers and he distinguished himself over the years as an outstanding “Shot”, retaining silver Challenge Cups on several occasions. He was a competent craftsman, working in painted “Spanish” leatherwork. He was evident in the Leighton Set and supporting William de Morgan in particular.

Alice Julia Lucas nee Montefiore is remembered as poet, translator of medieval Hebrew and Talmudic scripts and for publishing a Children’s Pentateuch. She married Henry Lucas in 1873 and continued her communal and scholarly work – as first President of the Jewish Study Society, Westminster Jews Free school, and Jews infant School among other community groups. She regularly contributed to the Jewish Chronicle, Jewish Quarterly Review and other periodicals. Her first book was published in 1876 “Translations from the German Poets of 18th & 19th Centuries”, followed by many textbooks for Children on the Torah and Jewish History. Her “Songs of Zion by Hebrew Singers of Medieval Times” in 1884 contains original poetry and translations to provide a poem for every Shabbat, Feast and Fast. She is remembered for her poem “The Jewish Soldier ”which she wrote in memory of those who died in the Great War and is displayed in the Entrance Hall to the Victorian Cemetery.

Alice Lucas

Henry Lucas