Dormido, David Abravanel (Also Known As Manuel Martinez Dormido)

Warden of the Jewish communities at Amsterdam and London in the seventeenth century; born in one of the principal cities of Andalusia (Spain), where he held the offices of alderman and life-treasurer of the customs and of the royal revenues. He was, however, imprisoned for five years (1627-32) by the Inquisition, and tortured, together with his wife and sister. On his release he went to Bordeaux, and after staying there eight years went to Amsterdam (1640), where he engaged in Brazilian trade. The conquest of Pernambuco by the Portuguese in 1654 ruined him. At this time the question of the readmission of the Jews to England came up, and Dormido was entrusted with the negotiations by Manasseh ben, Israel. He went to London; and on Nov. 3, 1654, presented a petition to Cromwell, which the latter recommended to the Council. Cromwell also interceded with the King of Portugal for the restitution of Dormido's fortune. In 1663 Dormido settled in London, where he became president of the first synagogue. His son Solomon was allowed to become a broker of the city of London in 1657, without taking the usual Christological oath.

Bibliography:

  * Godwin, History of the Commonwealth, iv. 248;
  * Grätz. Gesch. 3d ed., x. 97;
  * Kayserling, Bibl. Esp.-Port.-Jud. pp. 6, 69;
  * Transactions Jew. Hist. Soc. Eng. iii. 88;
  * Lucien Wolf, Manasseh ben Israel's Mission to Oliver Cromwell, xxxii., xxxiii.



J. V. E.