Escutcheon of Lord Wolfson in the Wills Memorial Building

The Wolfson family is a British Jewish family known for its business, philanthropic, and political activities. The family owes its initial fame to

Sir Isaac Wolfson Sir Isaac Wolfson, 1st Baronet FRS (; 17 September 1897 – 20 June 1991) was a Scottish businessman and philanthropist. He was managing director of Great Universal Stores (G.U.S. or Gussies) 1932–1947 and chairman 1947–1987. He establishe ...

, who built the

Great Universal Stores GUS plc was an FTSE 100 retailing, manufacturing and financial conglomerate based in the United Kingdom. GUS was an abbreviation of Great Universal Stores, the company's name before 2001, while it was also known as the ''Glorious Gussies'' amon ...

retail empire and created the

Wolfson Foundation The Wolfson Foundation is a charity that awards grants to support excellence in the fields of science and medicine, health, education and the arts and humanities. Overview The endowment of the Wolfson Foundation is currently some £800 million, ...

. The family is of Polish-Jewish and Russian-Jewish ancestry and has branches in the

U.K. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

, the

U.S. The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

, and

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

. The original family business,

GUS Gus is a masculine name, often a diminutive for Angus, August, Augustine, or Augustus, and other names (e.g. Aengus, Argus, Fergus, Ghassan, Gustav, Gustave, Gustafson, Gustavo, Gussie). It can also be used as the adaptation into English of ...

, was eventually demerged into

Home Retail Group Home Retail Group plc was a home and general merchandise retailer based in the United Kingdom. It was the parent company of Argos and Habitat, and once owned the do it yourself chain Homebase before selling it to the Australian retailer Wesfarme ...

, which included

Argos Argos most often refers to: * Argos, Peloponnese, a city in Argolis, Greece ** Ancient Argos, the ancient city * Argos (retailer), a catalogue retailer operating in the United Kingdom and Ireland Argos or ARGOS may also refer to: Businesses ...

and

Homebase Homebase is a British home improvement retailer and garden centre with stores across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Founded by Sainsbury's and GB-Inno-BM in 1979, the company was owned by Home Retail Group from October 2006, un ...

, and credit company Experian. Other businesses led or controlled by family members include the retailers

Burberry Burberry is a British luxury fashion house established in 1856 by Thomas Burberry headquartered in London, England. It currently designs and distributes ready to wear, including trench coats (for which it is most famous), leather accessorie ...

and

Next Next may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * ''Next'' (1990 film), an animated short about William Shakespeare * ''Next'' (2007 film), a sci-fi film starring Nicolas Cage * '' Next: A Primer on Urban Painting'', a 2005 documentary film Lit ...

, and the pharmaceutical company Shaklee.

History

Family patriarch Solomon Wolfson immigrated from Białystok to Glasgow, Scotland, with his wife Nechi (née Wilamowski) at the end of the 19th century. He was a furniture maker and Jewish community leader, later appointed Justice of the Peace. His son Isaac Wolfson built the family retail business and founded the

and the Wolfson Family Charitable Trust. Isaac was joined at

by his brother Charles Wolfson and later succeeded by his son Leonard Wolfson, and his nephews David Wolfson and Victor Barnett. By

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

the family was based in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, with the Samuel Wolfson branch having moved to

. During

the Blitz The Blitz was a German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom in 1940 and 1941, during the Second World War. The term was first used by the British press and originated from the term , the German word meaning 'lightning war'. The Germa ...

, Solomon's daughter Edith took many of the family children (the third generation) to seek refuge in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

for the duration of the war. After

various family members moved permanently to New York. Today, family members live in

, New York, and

Philanthropy

Wolfson College Oxford Coat Of Arms (Motto)

Francisco Goya - Portrait of the Duke of Wellington

A family descended from devout Orthodox Jews, the Wolfsons followed the religious and charitable example of their patriarch Solomon and the middle-European community from which he came. Isaac Wolfson is quoted as having said, "No man should have more than £100,000. The rest should go to charity." The Wolfson Foundation was established in 1955, endowed with shares in the family businesses, to support and promote excellence in education, science & medicine, the arts & humanities, and health & disability. The Foundation has awarded over £900 million (£1.9 billion in real terms) in grants to more than 11,000 projects throughout the

, including the founding endowments for

Wolfson College, Oxford Wolfson College () is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Located in north Oxford along the River Cherwell, Wolfson is an all-graduate college with around sixty governing body fellows, in addition to both research a ...

and

Wolfson College, Cambridge Wolfson College () is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. The majority of students at the college are postgraduates. The college also admits "mature" undergraduates (aged 21 and above), with around ...

. The Foundation also operates the

Wolfson History Prize The Wolfson History Prizes are literary awards given annually in the United Kingdom to promote and encourage standards of excellence in the writing of history for the general public. Prizes are given annually for two or three exceptional works ...

. The Wolfson Economics Prize is individually sponsored by

Simon Wolfson Simon Adam Wolfson, Baron Wolfson of Aspley Guise (born 27 October 1967), is a British businessman and currently chief executive of the clothing retailer Next plc, as well as a Conservative life peer. He is the son of the former Next chairman, ...

. Through the Wolfson Family Charitable Trust and various forms of personal giving, the family have also been among Israel's earliest and most significant supporters, as well as major supporters of Jewish life in Britain and New York. In

, the Charitable Trust has been a primary supporter of the

Weizmann Institute The Weizmann Institute of Science ( he, מכון ויצמן למדע ''Machon Vaitzman LeMada'') is a public research university in Rehovot, Israel, established in 1934, 14 years before the State of Israel. It differs from other Israeli univ ...

, the

Kiryat Wolfson Kiryat Wolfson ( he, קריית וולפסון), also known as Wolfson Towers, is a high-rise apartment complex in western Jerusalem. Comprising five towers ranging from 14 to 17 stories above-ground, the project was Jerusalem's first high-rise de ...

developments,

Heichal Shlomo Heichal Shlomo (Hekhal of Solomon: he, היכל שְׁלֹמֹה, ''Heikhal Shlomo''; meaning 'Palace of Solomon') is the former seat of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. It is located adjacent to the Great Synagogue on King George Street, Jerusa ...

and the Great Synagogue in

Jerusalem Jerusalem (; he, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם ; ar, القُدس ) (combining the Biblical and common usage Arabic names); grc, Ἱερουσαλήμ/Ἰεροσόλυμα, Hierousalḗm/Hierosóluma; hy, Երուսաղեմ, Erusałēm. i ...

, and

Wolfson Medical Center Wolfson Medical Center ( he, מרכז רפואי וולפסון) (transliteration: ''Merkaz Refui Wolfson'') is a hospital in the Tel Aviv District city of Holon, Israel. Wolfson Hospital is located in southern Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area in a vic ...

Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( he, תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, translit=Tēl-ʾĀvīv-Yāfō ; ar, تَلّ أَبِيب – يَافَا, translit=Tall ʾAbīb-Yāfā, links=no), often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the ...

, among many other projects. Family members were also founding benefactors of

Bar Ilan University Bar-Ilan University (BIU, he, אוניברסיטת בר-אילן, ''Universitat Bar-Ilan'') is a public research university in the Tel Aviv District city of Ramat Gan, Israel. Established in 1955, Bar Ilan is Israel's second-largest academic i ...

and The Israel Museum, as well as

Lincoln Square Synagogue The Lincoln Square Synagogue is a Modern Orthodox synagogue located at 180 Amsterdam Avenue between West 68th and 69th Streets in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 1964, the physical location of the ...

and

Fifth Avenue Synagogue The Fifth Avenue Synagogue (קהלת עטרת צבי, Congregation Ateret Tsvi) is an Orthodox Judaism, Orthodox Jewish synagogue located at 5 62nd Street (Manhattan), East 62nd Street between Fifth Avenue (Manhattan), Fifth and Madison Avenue (M ...

in New York.https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/17/classified/paid-notice-deaths-hyman-edith-wolfson-barnett.html

Hereditary titles and honours

Created in 1962, the Wolfson Baronetcy was one of the last baronetcies and among the last non-royal hereditary titles created in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. In addition, three family members have been created

life peers In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the peerage whose titles cannot be inherited, in contrast to hereditary peers. In modern times, life peerages, always created at the rank of baron, are created under the Life Peerages A ...

as Lord Wolfson, and many family members and their spouses have received

honours Honour (British English) or honor (American English; see spelling differences) is the idea of a bond between an individual and a society as a quality of a person that is both of social teaching and of personal ethos, that manifests itself as a ...

for their charitable services.

Family tree

*Solomon Wolfson J.P. (1868–1941), immigrated from Polish-Russia to

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...

, he is the namesake of

; m. Nechi Williamowsky/Wilamowski ** Samuel Wolfson (1896–1973), emigrated to

*** Rabbi Aviezer Wolfson ** Sir Isaac Wolfson, 1st Baronet (1897–1991), m. Edith Specterman ***

Leonard Wolfson, Baron Wolfson Leonard Gordon Wolfson, Baron Wolfson, FRS (11 November 1927 – 20 May 2010) was a British businessman, the former chairman of GUS, and son of GUS magnate Sir Isaac Wolfson, 1st Baronet. He is the father of Janet Wolfson de Botton. He atten ...

(1927–2010), succeeded his father as chairman of

and the

; m. Ruth Sterling and had four children and then married to Estelle Jackson **** Dame Janet Wolfson De Botton (1952–), art collector and philanthropist; m. Michael Green and then Gilbert de Botton ***** Rebecca Green (1974–) ***** Catherine Green (1976–) **** Hon. Laura Wolfson (1954–), chairman of the Wolfson Family Charitable Trust; m. Barry Townsley ***** Alexandra Townsley (1977–) ***** Georgina Townsley (1979–) ***** Charles Townsley (1984–) ***** Isabella Townsley (1994–) **** Hon. Deborah Wolfson Davis (1959–), screenwriter of ''

The Favourite ''The Favourite'' is a 2018 Historical drama, period black comedy film co-produced and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, from a screenplay by Deborah Davis (screenwriter), Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara (writer), Tony McNamara. Set in early 18th ...

''; m. Glen Davis **** Hon. Elizabeth Wolfson (1966–), m. Daniel Peltz OBE ***** Max Peltz ***** Francesca Peltz (1992–) ** Charles Wolfson (1899–1970), president and later chairman of G.U.S. Canada; m. Hylda Jarvis *** Jane Wolfson, international board chairman of

Bar-Ilan University Bar-Ilan University (BIU, he, אוניברסיטת בר-אילן, ''Universitat Bar-Ilan'') is a public research university in the Tel Aviv District city of Ramat Gan, Israel. Established in 1955, Bar Ilan is Israel's second-largest academi ...

; m. Jerome Stern and then Dr. Don Lebell ***

David Wolfson, Baron Wolfson of Sunningdale David Wolfson, Baron Wolfson of Sunningdale (3 November 1935 – 10 March 2021) was a British Conservative politician and businessman. Early life David Wolfson was born on 3 November 1935 in Willesden, London. The son of Charles and Hylda Wol ...

(1935–2021), chief of staff to

Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the first female British prime ...

and the third Wolfson family chairman of

; m. Baroness Rawlings (they divorced with no children) and then Susan Davis ****

Simon Wolfson, Baron Wolfson of Aspley Guise Simon Adam Wolfson, Baron Wolfson of Aspley Guise (born 27 October 1967), is a British businessman and currently chief executive of the clothing retailer Next plc, as well as a Conservative life peer. He is the son of the former Next chairman, ...

(1967–), chief executive of

and founder of the Wolfson Economics Prize; m. Eleanor Shawcross, economic advisor to

George Osborne George Gideon Oliver Osborne (born Gideon Oliver Osborne; 23 May 1971) is a former British politician and newspaper editor who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016 and as First Secretary of State from 2015 to 2016 in the ...

and daughter of biographer

William Shawcross William Hartley Hume Shawcross (born 28 May 1946, in Sussex, England) is a British writer and commentator, and a former Chairman of the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Education Shawcross was educated at St Aubyns Preparatory School ...

**** Hon. Andrew Wolfson (1969–) ***** Lily Wolfson (2007–) **** Hon. Deborah Wolfson (1973–) ** Jeannie Wolfson (1901–1974), m. Max Williams ** Edith Wolfson (1902–1997), m. Esmond Barnett of London and then Ralph Hyman of New York *** Adele Barnett (1931–), m. Howard Suslak, president of McDonald & Co. ***

Victor Barnett Victor J. Barnett (born 1933) is a British-American businessman, former executive chairman of Burberry, and member of the Wolfson family. Early life and education Victor Jules Barnett was born in London, England, in 1933 to Esmond Barnett and E ...

(1933–), chairman of

, executive director of

and Experian; m.

Helaine M. Barnett Helaine M. Barnett is an American legal aid attorney and law professor. She is a former president of the Legal Services Corporation and currently chairs the New York State Permanent Commission on Access to Justice. Early life and education Hel ...

**** Craig Barnett (1962–), Wall Street investment banker; m. Jennifer Peck, daughter of investor and philanthropist

Stephen M. Peck Stephen M. Peck (February 2, 1935 – March 30, 2004) was an American investor and philanthropist who co-founded the asset management firm Weiss, Peck & Greer. Early life and education Stephen Martin Peck was born to a Jewish family on February ...

***** Gabriel Barnett **** Roger Barnett (1964–), CEO of Shaklee; m. Sloan Lindemann, daughter of businessman George Lindemann Sr. ***** Spencer Barnett (2000–) ** Rose Wolfson (1904–2003), m. Samuel Martyn of London *** Herman Martyn

MBE Mbe may refer to: * Mbé, a town in the Republic of the Congo * Mbe Mountains Community Forest, in Nigeria * Mbe language, a language of Nigeria * Mbe' language, language of Cameroon * ''mbe'', ISO 639 code for the extinct Molala language Molal ...

**** Richard Martyn **** Mark Martyn **** Lee Martyn *** Marlene Martyn ** Eva Wolfson, m. Samuel Gerber ** Esther Wolfson, m. Joe Levy ** Bette Wolfson (1911–1993), m. Harold Schapiro of New York *** Stuart Schapiro *** Gerald Schapiro ** Dolly Wolfson (1913–1999), m. Joe Jacobson and then Robert Raisler of New York *** Steven Jacobson (1944–), m. Lynn Kaplan ** Hannah "Bebe" Wolfson, Lady Foley (1917–2015), m. Jack Steinberg of London and then Adrian Foley, 8th Baron Foley *** Raymonde Steinberg, m. Ian Jay *** Kathrine Steinberg, m. Baron Jean-Louis de Gunzburg, a great-great-grandson of the first Baron Günzburg

References

Bibliography