Sir Lewis Cohen

---

Alt NameSir Lewis
Date of Birth23 December 1849
Death Date24 June 1933

ParliamentSouth Australia
DesignationMLA North Adelaide
PartyIndependent
Term1887 to 1906

BiographyLewis Cohen was born in Liverpool (UK) and lived for short periods in Australia twice as a child and young man before settling permanently here in 1873. Before then he lived mostly in Fiji becoming a wealthy copra and tortoise shell trader. He became active in South Australian politics from 1886, becoming Mayor of Adelaide on three occasions, then Lord Mayor from 1921 to 1923. He was knighted in 1924. His political position was to support the early federal governments of Barton and Deakin although he had disagreements with them especially over free trade that he opposed. Outside politics, he was president of the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation and the United Ancient Order of Druids. Lewis Cohen died in Adelaide aged 83. A major thoroughfare is named after him and his portrait hangs in the Adelaide Town Hall.