Two English Ladies and a Jew from Polotzk

The essay treats a fascinating aspect in the life of Solomon Yom Tov Bennett (1767-1838), a Polish-Jewish immigrant trained as a copper engraver but also a gifted Hebraist and biblical exegete who lived in London from 1800 until the year of his death. Despite his many intellectual and artistic talents, the elites of Bennett's own community rejected him while he was embraced by an impressive number of powerful cultural and political figures from all corners of London's Christian community. Bennett took full advantage of the opportunities London afforded him to interact with all kinds of Christian patrons, clergy, and literary figures spanning a wide range of political and religious persuasions. While almost all his Christian associates in London were men, two were women. This essay is devoted to these latter two individuals and their unusual relationships with Bennett. Rachel Fanny Antonina Lee (1773?-1829) and Catherine Housman (1770-1855) both employed Solomon Bennett as a copper engraver, but both ultimately developed long-term relations with him that were primarily based on his Hebraic and biblical expertise. But both were radically different individuals. Rachel Fanny Antonina Lee was a well-known public figure tarred in her youth by the allegation she had run away with two brothers who had taken advantage of her, for which she was subsequently scandalized and satirized in the press for indiscretion. In contrast, Catherine Housman, a pious Christian devoted to Bible study, was little known outside her city for her generous acts and literary activity. Bennett's close relations with both offer a window into the possibilities and limits of Jewish-Christian encounter in nineteenth-century England

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