Julius Vogel

Julius Vogel was born in London and lived as a child at Finsbury Pavement, on the western

side of Finsbury Square. His parents had been married in the Hambro Synagogue, but his mother was left widowed when Julius was two.

He went to University College School (then in Gower Street) and then studied chemistry and

metallurgy at the Royal School of Mines (since absorbed into Imperial College). In 1852, he left for Victoria, Australia, which was in the throes of its gold rush. Considerable numbers of British Jews were migrating to Australia at the time, not so much to get directly involved in the mining itself as to work in support industries, providing accommodation, bars, clothing and so on. Julius for his part went into journalism, editing several newspapers circulating on the goldfields.

In 1861, he moved to Otago, New Zealand, where he continued in journalism, founding the Otago Daily Times. He was soon drawn into politics, and first entered Parliament there in 1863. Defeated in 1866, he became instead head of the provincial government of Otago, then was back in parliament in 1869. He seems to have climbed the ladder with ease: he was seen as a man of vision, sometimes reckless and speculative, but an excellent policy-maker. In 1873, he became Prime Minister, the first Jew to hold that office in New Zealand, and probably in the world. He held the position till 1875 – when he was knighted – and again, briefly, in 1876. He is best known today for his advocacy of Maori reconciliation and women’s suffrage, and for a major public works scheme.