Michael Simons (1842-1925) was a successful fruit merchant, a town councillor and a leading figure in Glasgow's Jewish community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Born in London, Simons moved to Glasgow as a child. He joined the family firm of Simons, Jacobs & Co, eventually becoming a senior partner in the business which imported and distributed fruit. The company was based in Candleriggs with offices in Boston and Canada and Simons also had business interests in other companies in London, Liverpool and New York.
Simons was elected to the Town Council in 1883, the first Jew to become a Glasgow councillor. He convened a number of committees and was associated with the International Exhibitions of 1888 and 1901. In 1902 he became chairman of the council of the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts. He also served as a Justice of the Peace and Deputy-Lieutenant.
Reference: PHO.S.0006
Reproduced with the permission of the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre
Keywords:
councillors, Deputy-Lieutenants, fruiterers, International Exhibition, 1888, International Exhibition, 1901, Jews, Justices of the Peace, magistrates, Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts, Simons, Jacobs & Co
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