Alfred Mond, 1st Baron Melchett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Melchett
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| First Commissioner of Works | |
| In office 10 December 1916 – 1 April 1921 |
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| Monarch | George V |
| Prime Minister | David Lloyd George |
| Preceded by | Lewis Vernon Harcourt |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Crawford |
| Minister of Health | |
| In office 1 April 1921 – 19 October 1922 |
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| Monarch | George V |
| Prime Minister | David Lloyd George |
| Preceded by | Christopher Addison |
| Succeeded by | Sir Arthur Griffith-Boscawen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Alfred Moritz Mond
23 October 1868 Farnworth, Widnes, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 27 December 1930 (aged 62) London |
| Political party | Liberal Conservative |
| Spouse | Violet Goetze (d. 1945) |
| Children | 4, including Henry Mond, 2nd Baron Melchett |
| Parents | Ludwig Mond Frieda Löwenthal |
| Alma mater | St. John's College, Cambridge University of Edinburgh |
Alfred Moritz Mond, 1st Baron Melchett (born October 23, 1868 – died December 27, 1930) was an important British businessman and politician. He was also known as Sir Alfred Mond for a time. Later in his life, he became a strong supporter of Zionism, which is the movement to create and support a Jewish homeland.
Contents
Early Life and School
Alfred Mond was born in Farnworth, Widnes, England. His father, Ludwig Mond, was a chemist and businessman who came from Germany. Alfred went to Cheltenham College and then St. John's College, Cambridge. He later studied law at the University of Edinburgh. In 1894, he became a lawyer.
Building a Business Empire
After finishing his studies, Alfred joined his father's company, Brunner Mond & Company. He became a managing director there. He also led his father's other company, the Mond Nickel Company.
One of his biggest achievements in business happened in 1926. He helped bring four large companies together to form Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). At the time, ICI was one of the largest industrial companies in the world. Alfred Mond became its first chairman.
A Career in Politics
Alfred Mond was also active in politics. He was a member of Parliament (MP) for the Liberal Party. He represented different areas like Chester and Swansea from 1906 to 1923.
He held important government jobs:
- He was the First Commissioner of Works from 1916 to 1921. This job involved looking after public buildings and parks.
- He became the Minister of Health from 1921 to 1922. In this role, he helped make decisions about public health.
After a short break from Parliament, he was elected again in 1924. In 1926, he changed political parties and joined the Conservative Party. In 1928, he was given the title of Baron Melchett, which meant he became a member of the House of Lords.
Working Together: Mondism
After a big strike in 1926, Alfred Mond tried to bring workers and large employers together. This effort was called Mondism. It aimed to improve cooperation between unions and businesses.
Helping Others and Supporting Zionism
Alfred Mond was known for his generous donations and his support for Zionism.
- His father had given many old master paintings to the National Gallery. Alfred helped provide a special place for them in 1924.
- In 1929, he gave land in Chelsea for a health society.
Alfred Mond was a very enthusiastic Zionist. This meant he strongly supported the idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
- In 1920, he gave a large sum of money to Vladimir Jabotinsky, another Zionist leader.
- He visited Palestine in 1921.
- He gave money to groups helping Jewish people settle in Palestine.
- He became the President of the British Zionist Foundation.
- He even founded a town in what is now Israel, called Tel Mond.
- He started building a house on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, which is now known as Villa Melchett.
- Many cities in Israel, like Tel Aviv, have a street named Melchett Street to remember him.
Alfred Mond also helped the Palestine Electric Company. He was on its board and helped it get support in London. This company was important for providing electricity in Palestine.
In 1928, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a great honor for scientists. He also received special degrees from universities like Oxford and Paris.
Family Life
In 1894, Alfred Mond married Violet Goetze. They had one son, Henry Ludwig, and three daughters: Eva Violet, Mary Angela, and Norah Jena. Alfred Mond passed away in his London home in 1930. His son, Henry, took over his title as Baron Melchett.
Images for kids
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Statue of Lord Melchett in Tel Mond, Israel
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The Iconoclast
Sir Alfred Mond: "I'm sorry to have to disturb Your Majesty, but, owing to the shortage of sites—"
See also
- Ludwig Mond Award
- Melchett Medal
- Mond gas
