Bookstamp of Hermann Adler

Bookstamp of Hermann Adler

Adler, Hermann, 1839-1911

This is the bookstamp of Hermann Adler (1839-1911), chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire. He was born in Hannover, Germany in May 1839 to Dr. Nathan Marcus Adler of the prominent Adler rabbinical family. As a small child, Adler moved with his family to London when his father assumed the position of Chief Rabbi in England in 1845. He was educated at the University College School and University College in London. From 1860 to 1862 he also studied under Chief Rabbi Rappaport in Prague, who bestowed upon him his rabbinical diploma, and earned his Ph.D. in Leipzig.

In 1863 Adler was appointed principal of Jews’ College. He served in this capacity for one year until he became head of the Bayswater Synagogue in 1864. He remained active at the Jews’ College, serving as tutor of theology from 1864 to 1879, council chairman from 1887 to 1891 and president from 1891 until his death.

Adler led the Bayswater congregation until his father fell ill in 1879 and he assumed the position of deputy chief rabbi. Shortly after his father died in 1890 he succeeded him as chief rabbi in 1891. In addition to serving as chief rabbi, Adler held several other positions including president of the London rabbinical court, president of Aria College, president of the Jewish Historical Society of England and several other offices. In 1909 he received the honor of commander in the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of his accomplishments and service.

Hermann Adler was also a prolific author and wrote many sermons, articles and essays. It is believed he delivered nearly 2,700 sermons in his lifetime.

Adler's bookstamp features his name, “Dr. H. Adler,” in the center of a belted crest device with his address, “5, Queensborough Terrace,” at the top. His brother Elkan Nathan Adler’s bookplate also appears in the Brisman collection.

Adler, Hermann, 1839-1911

"Adler." The New International Encyclopædia. ed. Gilman, Daniel Coit, Harry Thurston Peck, and Frank Moore Colby, Vol. 1. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1905. 119-20.

Alderman, Geoffrey. Controversy and Crisis Studies in the History of the Jews in Modern Britain. Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2008.

Encyclopedia.com

Jewish Encyclopedia

London Metropolitan Archives

New York Times

Palgrave Dictionary of Anglo-Jewish History. ed. William D. Rubinstein. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.

Supplement to the London Gazette. June 25, 1909. 4856.

ca. 1891

Digital Image: Washington University in Saint Louis

Ink

English

Bookstamp

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