Isaac Wolfson, BT., 17 September 1897 - 20 June 1991

Abstract

Twentieth Century Britain has known a considerable number of men who have built up large fortunes it has known a much smaller number who have given away large sums of money to help people in need and supported hospitals, hospices and a long list of charities as well as education and research. It is doubtful, however, if it has known anyone who made and gave away money on the same scale and with the same undisguised satisfaction in both operations as Isaac Wolfson. There are few if any of the original universities, few if any of the major centres of scientific and medical research which do not have cause to be grateful for this son of an immigrant Jewish cabinet-maker from Russia, who by the time of his death in June 1991 had seen grants from the Wolfson Foundation he created with his wife and son in 1955 reach a total of £130 million - a much higher figure in present day values if account is taken of inflation.