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Magnus, Sir Philip

The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia

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English educationist; born in London Oct. 7, 1842; educated at University College in that city, and at the University of London (B.A. 1863; B.Sc. 1864). Destined for the Jewish ministry, he pursued his studies in Berlin (1865-66). On his return to England he became one of the ministers of the Berkeley Street Synagogue, London. At the same time he did much private teaching, and was professor of mechanics at the Catholic University. His "Lessons in Elementary Mechanics" (London, 1874) was for a long time the standard text-book on the subject. In 1880 he was appointed secretary of the City and Guilds of London Institute for the Advancement of Technical Education, and in that capacity became the leading authority on technical education in the United Kingdom. He was a member of a royal commission for this subject (1881-84), visiting in connection therewith the chief educational centers of western Europe. In 1886 he was knighted in recognition of his services to education. In 1888 he published a work on "Industrial Education," as one of a series of text-books on education edited by him. He was principal of the Finsbury Technical College from 1883 to 1885, and a member of the London School Board in 1890 and 1891. In 1900 he became fellow of the senate of London University, and at the present time (1904) is connected in an honorary capacity with many important educational institutions.

Magnus' work at the Guilds Institute caused him to resign his position in the Jewish ministry; but he has retained his interest in many communal institutions, being vice-president of the Anglo-Jewish Association, president of the Deaf and Dumb Home, and a representative on the board of deputies of the Berkeley Street Synagogue, of which he has been also a warden.