Salvador, Joseph (Known Also As Joseph Jeshurun Rodrigues)

English philanthropist; flourished about 1753. He came of a distinguished family that emigrated from Holland in the eighteenth century, bringing with it considerable sums of money which it invested in commerce. Salvador, who held rank as one of the merchant princes among the Jews, was a partner in the firm of Francis & Joseph Salvador, which, after the death of Sampson Gideon, negotiated loans for the British government. The magnitude of his operations in the world of finance and commerce was such that he was elected to the directorate of the Dutch East India Company, being the first Jew thus honored.

Salvador took a leading part in the affairs of his synagogue, and was president of the congregation and one of the most efficient members of the original committee of Portuguese deputies in 1761. He built a handsome house in White Hart court, Bishop street, and had also a country residence at Tooting. In his latter days, however, his fortunes declined. Being the holder of much property in Lisbon, he lost heavily in consequence of the earthquake in that city; and the subsequent failure of the Dutch East India Company, which affected so many of the rich Portuguese Jews of England and Holland, completed his downfall.

Bibliography:

  * Picciotto, Sketches of Anglo-Jewish History, s.v.;
  * Young Israel, June, 1899.



J. G. L.