Jefferson Monroe Levy | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 13th district |
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In office March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1901 |
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Preceded by | Richard C. Shannon |
Succeeded by | Oliver H.P. Belmont |
In office March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1913 |
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Preceded by | Herbert Parsons |
Succeeded by | Timothy Sullivan |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 14th district |
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In office March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 |
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Preceded by | John J. Kindred |
Succeeded by | Michael F. Farley |
Personal details | |
Born | April 16, 1852 New York City, New York |
Died | March 6, 1924 New York City, New York |
(aged 71)
Political party | Democratic |
Alma mater | New York University Law School |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Jefferson Monroe Levy (April 16, 1852 – March 6, 1924) was a three-term U.S. Congressman from New York, a leader of the New York Democratic Party, and a renowned real estate and stock speculator.
In 1879 at the age of 27, he took control of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. His late uncle Uriah P. Levy had purchased the property in 1834, several years after Jefferson's death. Like his uncle, Levy spent a considerable part of his fortune in having Monticello and its grounds restored and preserved. In 1923, the property was purchased by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (then known as the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation), a privately established group formed to purchase and operate Monticello as a memorial. It has since operated the site and mansion as a house museum. The Levy family privately protected the National Historic Landmark for nearly a century because of their regard for Thomas Jefferson and on behalf of the American people.
Born in New York City to Jonas Levy and Frances (Phillips) Levy, an American Jewish couple, Jefferson was one of five children. His father was a merchant and sea captain, and his mother was a descendant of Jonas Phillips and his wife Rebecca Machado. Levy and his siblings attended public and private schools. His mother's parents had immigrated from Germany and London in the mid-1700s, respectively; and his father's Sephardic Jewish ancestors, also from London, were among the first settlers of Savannah, Georgia in 1733.
Levy graduated from the New York University Law School in 1873. He was admitted to the bar and practiced in New York City, making money in real estate investment and finance.