Lewis Wormser Harris
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stuttgart, Germany
County Wicklow, Ireland
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Caroline Picard(m. 1836–1855)
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Juliette Joseph(m. 1857)
Lewis Wormser Harris | |
|---|---|
| Lord Mayor of Dublin (Died before taking office) | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 April 1812 Stuttgart, Germany |
| Died | August 1, 1876 (aged 64) County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 9 |
Lewis Wormser Harris (5 April 1812 – 1 August 1876) was an Irish bill-broker, financier, member of the Dublin Corporation and prominent member of the Dublin Hebrew Congregation. He was the first Jew elected Lord Mayor of Dublin, but died before he could take office.
Harris was born Samuel Wormser on 5 April 1812, to Isaac Samuel Wormser and Sheinle Ephraim, in Aldingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. He moved to Ireland in 1821, living in the residence of a Charles Harris, a watchmaker, and soon after adopted the surname Harris. He operated very successfully as a financier with offices in Suffolk Street, Dublin.
Political career
In 1874, he was elected Alderman of Dublin Corporation representing the South Dock Ward, the first member of Dublin's Jewish community to hold such a position. In 1876 he was the first Jew elected as Lord Mayor; however, he died just before he was due to take up the office.[1]
Jewish community
On three occasions he was President of the Dublin Hebrew Congregation: 1847–1848, 1851–1852, and 1860–1863. In 1853, he was involved in the foundation of the synagogue in Stafford Street.[2]