The Montefiore Collections

The Montefiore Collections are a rich and diverse collection of books, papers, manuscripts, testimonials, ritual silver and vestments acquired by Sir Moses Montefiore during his lifetime and subsequently by the trustees of his endowment.

Catalogues of the collection are available on this website; if you would like to arrange a viewing, please contact the Secretary for more information.

Inquirers should note that the Montefiore Endowment owns, preserves and maintains its books and manuscripts in its library at 2 Ashworth Road, London W9 1JY and those on loan to the libraries of University College London. All items are listed on this website and are available for inspection and study by scholars at the Montefiore Library and at the UCL Libraries by arrangement with the respective librarians (see website for particulars). Where precious manuscripts are involved, a charge will be made for supervision during such visits.

The Endowment lacks the staff or the facilities to help individuals with research, to supply photocopies or to answer specific queries. In exceptional cases, and where fully justified academically, photocopies or scans may be supplied on the payment of an appropriate fee to cover costs. Permission to reproduce extracts from the manuscripts for inclusion in learned publications will be given on completion of a standard request form containing required assurances and the payment of a modest fee.

Genealogical inquiries arising from the Montefiore Censuses cannot be answered by the Endowment; and inquirers should use the search engines (in English and Hebrew) on the website for such research. It may sometimes be possible to refer queries to one of the Israeli genealogists who worked on the censuses and who may be willing to assist personally if approached.

The Endowment is also unable to deal with inquiries concerning the life and times of Sir Moses Montefiore. Those interested should consult the website for outline details on Sir Moses and Lady Judith Montefiore. Those seeking in-depth information should refer to Abigail Green’s book ‘Moses Montefiore – Jewish Liberator, Imperial Hero’, published by the Belknap Press of Harvard University Press (2010), currently the most authoritative and detailed biography of Sir Moses.

Find out more about the Montefiore Collections here:
www.montefioreendowment.org.uk/collections