Judith Montefiore

Lady Judith Montefiore (née Cohen 1784 - 1 October 1862) was a British linguist, musician, travel writer, and philanthropist.

Judith Cohen, daughter of Levi Barent Cohen and his wife, Lydia, was born in London in 1784. She married Sir Moses Montefiore in 1812. For 13 years, they lived at New Court, St Swithin's Lane, London. Her prudence and intelligence influenced all her husband's undertakings, and when he retired from business, the administration of his fortune in philanthropic endeavors was largely directed by her. Lady Montefiore accompanied her husband in all his foreign missions up to 1859, and was the beneficent genius of his memorable expeditions to the Holy Land, Damascus, Saint Petersburg, and Rome. By her linguistic abilities, she was enabled to materially assist her husband in his self-imposed tasks. During the journey to Russia, in 1846, she was indefatigable in her efforts to alleviate the misery she saw everywhere around her. The wife and daughter of the Russian governor paid her a ceremonious visit and expressed the admiration she had inspired among all classes. Her sympathies were greatly widened by travel; two journals of some of these travels were published anonymously by her. The last years of her life were spent alternately in London and Ramsgate.

Montefiore died October 1, 1862. At her death, Sir Moses founded in her memory the Judith Lady Montefiore College at Ramsgate.

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