No. 8867
Solomon de Medina
ca. 1650-1730FinancierEurope · 1650Most named place: England (approximate)
Sir Solomon de Medina was an army contractor for William III (1650 – 1702) and the first professing Jew to be knighted in England.
He was born in Bordeaux as Diego de Medina, but lived in Amsterdam until William III invaded England in 1688, which he helped to finance. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701 – 1714) he was principal army contractor to the Duke of Marlborough, supplying money, provisions, and especially intelligence. Medina was active in and contributed generously to the London Sephardi community of the Bevis Marks Synagogue.
For his services to William III he was knighted on June 23rd, 1700, becoming the first Jew in England to receive that honor.
