Benjamin Mendes da Costa (17 July 1803 - 26 November 1868) was an English merchant and philanthropist. Da Costa was born in Enfield, London, to Benjamin Mendes da Costa and his second wife, Louisa. Although da Costa's father was a Jew, the children of his second marriage were brought up as members of the Church of England.
In July 1840, da Costa emigrated to the newly settled colony of South Australia, becoming a successful merchant on Hindley Street. He acquired 6 acres (2.4 ha) of land in the city centre, as well as fifteen country sections. He was elected to the committee of the Merchant's Institute, and became good friends with the colonial chaplain, James Farrell, and Bishop Augustus Short. Da Costa left the colony in 1848, returning to London. He died of lung cancer in November 1868.
In his will, da Costa bequeathed his South Australian landholdings to St Peter's College, Adelaide. The estate was subject to the life interests of ten relations; the last died in 1910 upon which time the property was vested in the school. St Peter's has named a hall, a house and a scholarship in his honour.[1]
benjamin, mendes, costa, july, 1803, november, 1868, english, merchant, philanthropist, costa, born, enfield, london, second, wife, louisa, although, costa, father, children, second, marriage, were, brought, members, church, england, july, 1840, costa, emigrat. Benjamin Mendes da Costa 17 July 1803 26 November 1868 was an English merchant and philanthropist Da Costa was born in Enfield London to Benjamin Mendes da Costa and his second wife Louisa Although da Costa s father was a Jew the children of his second marriage were brought up as members of the Church of England In July 1840 da Costa emigrated to the newly settled colony of South Australia becoming a successful merchant on Hindley Street He acquired 6 acres 2 4 ha of land in the city centre as well as fifteen country sections He was elected to the committee of the Merchant s Institute and became good friends with the colonial chaplain James Farrell and Bishop Augustus Short Da Costa left the colony in 1848 returning to London He died of lung cancer in November 1868 In his will da Costa bequeathed his South Australian landholdings to St Peter s College Adelaide The estate was subject to the life interests of ten relations the last died in 1910 upon which time the property was vested in the school St Peter s has named a hall a house and a scholarship in his honour 1 References edit Miller J S C 1974 Benjamin Mendes da Costa 1803 1868 Australian Dictionary of Biography Vol 5 National Centre of Biography Australian National University ISSN 1833 7538 Retrieved 13 June 2007 nbsp nbsp This Australian biography article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Benjamin Mendes da Costa amp oldid 1215243784, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
