Samuel, Saul, 1820 – 1900

Sir Saul Samuel (1820-1900), merchant and parliamentarian, was born at London posthumous son of Sampson Samuel and his wife Lydia. In 1832 Samuel and his mother arrived in Sydney where he was educated at W.T. Cape's school and Sydney College before joining the counting-house owned by his uncles, A. and S. Lyons. In 1837 he formed a mercantile firm at Bathurst, N.S.W. with his older brother Lewis called L. and S. Lyons. He later managed a number of pastoral companies in the Bathurst area.

Samuel was a member of the old Legislative Council (1854-1856). He was elected member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seats of Orange (1859-1860, 1869-1872), Wellington (1862-1869) and East Sydney (1872). He was a member of the NSW Legislative Council (1872-1880). Samuel was Colonial Treasurer (1859-1860, 1865-1866, 1868-1870) and Postmaster-General (1872-1875, 1877-1880).

Samuel was appointed Agent-General for N.S.W. in London (1880-1897). Before his appointment in London Samuel was active in Jewish community affairs in Sydney and in 1875 laid the foundation stone for the Great Synagogue, Elizabeth Street, Sydney. [ref:ADB 6]