Arthur Cohen (politician)

Arthur Cohen KC, FBA (18 November 1830 – 3 November 1914) was an English barrister and Liberal Party politician.

After three years' study at the gymnasium in Frankfort-on-the-Main, he entered as a student at University College London. Thence he proceeded to Cambridge University at a time when it was almost impossible for a Jew to gain admission into the colleges. At length he was received into Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 1852 he was elected president of the Cambridge Union Society. At Cambridge Cohen had a successful career, coming out fifth wrangler in the mathematical tripos; but he was prevented from taking his degree till after the repeal of the Test Act in 1871. He became the first practising Jew to graduate from Cambridge.

Cohen then read law; and five years after he had been called to the bar, he established for himself a reputation in shipping and insurance cases. Among several important appointments was his selection to represent the interests of England in the famous arbitration case (Alabama Claims) connected with the "CSS Alabama" at Geneva in 1872. Returning to England after the completion of the case, Cohen in 1874 unsuccessfully contested Lewes in the Liberal interest. But in 1880 he was elected for the Southwark division, and shortly afterward was offered a judgeship, which, however, he declined, though later he became a judge of the Cinque Ports. He was for many years standing counsel for his university. He often represented foreign governments in disputes before the English law courts, as, for example, the Japanese government in an important case against the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.

Cohen held various important positions in the London Jewish community. For many years he was president of the Board of Deputies, succeeding his uncle, Sir Moses Montefiore; but he resigned the position in 1894. He was a vice-president of Jews' College, and for many years president of the borough Jewish schools.