Zbirka GB 1556 WL 1514 - Israel, Wilfrid (1899-1943): Correspondence

1 file

GB 1556 WL 1514 1937-1943 collection 1 file Israel , Wilfred , 1899-1943

Wilfrid Israel, born in London in 1899 to an English Jewess and a German Jew, enjoyed a very privileged existence growing up in Berlin, where he inherited the family business, the famous N Israel department store, with its 2000 employees. Whilst conforming to family expectations, he entertained interests in socialist Zionism, pacifism and internationalism.

During the war years he became a secret intermediary, the confidant of such major figures as Chaim Weizmann and Albert Einstein, as well as hundreds of others, for whom he was able to arrange escapes, on account of his dual nationality and familiarity with Gestapo extortion techniques.

On a return flight from Portugal in 1943, where he was effecting the rescue of more Jewish refugees, he died when his plane was shot down by German fighters.

Deposited by Diana Hopkinson.

Papers of Wilfrid Israel, 1937-1943, comprise correspondence from Wilfrid Israel to Diana Hopkinson. The last letter in this collection makes reference to the immanent ill-fated trip to Lisbon, where the Jewish Agency had asked him to assist with refugee work.

Arranged in chronological order.

Open

Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.

English

Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk

WL 548

Entry compiled by Howard Falksohn.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

March 2008 Wars (events) Antisemitism Europe International conflicts Israel , Wilfred , 1899-1943 Lisbon Migrants Portugal Racial discrimination Refugees War Western Europe World wars (events) World War Two (1939-1945)

Deposited by Diana Hopkinson.

Papers of Wilfrid Israel, 1937-1943, comprise correspondence from Wilfrid Israel to Diana Hopkinson. The last letter in this collection makes reference to the immanent ill-fated trip to Lisbon, where the Jewish Agency had asked him to assist with refugee work.

Arranged in chronological order.

Open

Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.

• engleski

• latinica

English

WL 548

Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• engleski