Jacob Moser
A founder of the new Technical School in 1882, Jacobsupported many other good causes in Bradford. He wasSecretary of Bradford Technical College in 1899 and 1900.
Many of the European merchants who moved to Bradford in the 1800s were Jewish,practising Reform Judaism, a more relaxed form than Orthodox. Jacob Moser was the onlyone of the great German Jewish merchants of Bradford who took a direct interest in Jewishaffairs. Originally from Denmark, he had a strong Jewish upbringing and was one of thefounders of the Bradford synagogue.
The European merchants played a vital role Bradford’s textile industry. They helped foundthe Chamber of Commerce and made up a quarter of its members between 1851 and 1881.In addition they also had an important impact on the political scene: Charles Sermon wasBradford’s first foreign-born Mayor in 1864 and in 1910 Jacob Moser became both LordMayor of the City and Chief Magistrate.
Jacob, born in 1839, was one of the founders of the Bradford Charity Organisation Society and the CityGuild of Help. He was involved in founding Bradford Technical School in 1882. He servedon the board of the Infirmary from 1883 and contributed £5,000 to the local fund for thebuilding of a new institution. In 1898, he provided £10,000 as a benevolent fund for theaged and infirm of the city; he also supported the Children’s Hospital, donated 12,000 booksto Bradford Central Library.
He joined Bradford Council as an Independent member for Manningham ward in 1896, alsoserved Heaton from 1901 to 1904 and in 1909 was elected unopposed as Councillor forLittle Horton. His obituary suggests he gave away some £750,000 in his lifetime to charitieswhich was an immense sum at this time.
He was Secretary of Bradford Technical College in 1899 and 1900, and continued to serve onthe Technical College Committee.
Jacob was amongst those prominent in the field of health and welfare, contributinghandsomely to the Infirmary and numerous other hospitals. He was also one of thesupporters of building St. George’s Hall, Bradford’s magnificent concert venue.
Jacob Moser died in 1922.
Photograph from 1904 Bradford Exhibition Souvenir