Person    | Male  Born 9/7/1864  Died 5/9/1937

Sir Albert Levy

Categories: Commerce, Philanthropy

Countries: Germany

Founder of the Ardath Tobacco Company. Honorary Treasurer at the Royal Free Hospital in 1926. See Lord Riddell. Also helped fund the 1928 new extension for which the maternity section was named the Albert Levy Wing. The Jewish Lives Project website gives a résumé of his life.

Albert Levy was born on 9 July 1864 in Segeberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, the younger child of Moses Martin David Levy (1821-1895) and Hannchen Levy née Heckscher (1829-1894). His elder sister was Sophie Levy (1862-1909).

On 6 January 1893 he swore an Oath of Allegiance to be faithful and bear true allegiance to HM Queen Victoria, Her Heirs & Successors to become a naturalized British subject. This could only be taken if he had resided in Great Britain for at least five of the previous eight years. He stated that he resided at 66 Sutherland Avenue, London and at 62 Leadenhall Street in the City of London. He described himself a cigar merchant. He was shown on the 1894 electoral registers at both these addresses, but by 1895 he was registered at both 68 Portsdown Road, Maida Vale and 62 Leadenhall Street. The 1898 registers list him at 2 Warrington Crescent, Maida Vale and 62 Leadenhall Street and in 1899 at 36 St Andrew's Square, Surbiton and 62 Leadenhall Street, whilst in 1900 at the De Vere Hotel, Kensington and 62 Leadenhall Street.

He married Gertrude Hennig (1871-1954) in the 1st quarter of 1900 in the Westminster registration district and they had three daughters: Hylda Muriel Levy (1901-1970), Vera Ruth Levy (1904-1993) & Esme Sophie Levy (1910-1988).  

In the 1901 census he is shown as a tobacco manufacturer living at 12 Randolph Crescent, Maida Vale, with his wife, their daughter - Hylda, together with four domestic servants: a page, a housemaid, a cook & a monthly nurse. When he completed the 1911 census he described himself as tobacco manufacturer living in a 14 roomed property at 42 Hans Mansions, London, SW, with his wife, his three daughters, together with five female servants: a governess, a cook, a kitchen-maid, a parlour-maid and a house-maid. 

Electoral registers from 1918 to 1921 show him still residing at 42 Hans Mansions, but he was also registered as a business voter for a property at 101 Pavillion Road, Notting Hill. 

In the 1929 New Year Honours List, as the Treasurer of the Royal Free Hospital, he was created a Knight Bachelor, for benefactions.

Probate records confirm that he resided at both Westbrook House, Elstead, Surrey and at Devonshire House, Piccadilly, London, W1. It was at the latter address where he died, aged 73 years, on 5 September 1937 and on 7 September 1937 he was buried In Plot C, Row 46, Grave 13 in the Golders Green Jewish Cemetery, Hoop Lane, London, NW11 1NL. Probate was granted on 29 September 1937 jointly to the Westminster Bank Ltd, to his widow and to his son-in-law - Sir Ewart Maurice Levy, baronet (1897-1990), who had married his eldest daughter Hylda. His effects totalled £1,134,866-12s-1d.

Photo credit: Royal Free Hospital.

Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Sir Albert Levy

Creations i

Lord Riddell - fountain

A cherub stands atop the fountain clutching a dolphin which appears capable o...

Read More

Other Subjects

Hayward Brothers ironmongery

Hayward Brothers ironmongery

The picture shows the original shop sign in situ - the camera position provides quite a surreal image.  From Glassian, the picture source: “The sign … which stood above the corner shop at Number 23...

Group, Commerce

1 memorial
National Bank

National Bank

Founded as the National Bank of Ireland, becoming The National Bank Limited in 1859. By 1884 it was a member of the Bankers Clearing House. In 1966 the branches in England and Wales were acquired b...

Group, Commerce, Ireland

3 memorials
Petticoat Lane Market

Petticoat Lane Market

By 1608 this street was known as Peticote Lane for the second-hand clothes, etc. which were bought and sold here, right on the boundary with the City. In about 1830 the street name was changed to M...

Place, Commerce

1 memorial
Summit Furniture

Summit Furniture

Founded by Chairman William Sieberts.

Group, Benefactor, Commerce

1 memorial
Akram Miknas

Akram Miknas

Born in the Lebanon. Resident in Bahrain. Founder and CEO of the Promoseven Network. He's on Facebook and has an on-line museum.

Person, Commerce, Bahrain, Lebanon

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Imperial College foundation stone

Imperial College foundation stone

SW7, Prince Consort Road, Imperial College

This plaque is at eye level on the front of the pedestal to the left of the entrance, under the Wernher bust. Apologies that we do not y...

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Alfred the Great

Alfred the Great

King of the West Saxons and of the Anglo-Saxons. Born Wantage. Introduced a level of education not previously known in Anglo-Saxon England for his sons, those of other nobles and even clever boys o...

Person, Royalty

6 memorials
First car park in Marylebone

First car park in Marylebone

The first municipal car park in St Marylebone was unveiled in 1965.

Building, Transport

1 memorial
Bill Kenwright

Bill Kenwright

Born Liverpool. West End theatre producer and chairman of Everton Football Club.

Person, Cinema, Sport / Games, Theatre

1 memorial
Morley mosaics - KEW - Hester Thrale

Morley mosaics - KEW - Hester Thrale

SE1, King Edward Walk, Morley College

These 10 portrait mosaics are the result of a project by Morley College to celebrate the achievements of significant women who have lived...

2 subjects commemorated, 3 creators