Henriette Marie Meyer
Henriette Marie Meyer (1872-1963), also known as Lady Davis, was a known Jewish Canadian philanthropist and the wife of Sir Mortimer Davis.[1]
Biography
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Henriette was born in San Francisco, the daughter of Charles Meyer, a banker and philanthropist. In June 12 1898 she married wealthy businessman Sir Mortimer Davis and the couple moved to Montreal.
In 1901 Henriette bore a son, Mortimer Davis. A few years later, she adopted her nephew Philip. In 1924 the couple divorced. In the divorce settlements Henriette received more than a million dollars, allowing her to continue her philanthropic activities.
After her divorce she moved to France where she founded a resort for disabled children named "Colonie de vacance". For her actions Henriette received a Legion of Honour from the French government. Henriette also helped house refugees escaping Nazi prosecution.
With the outbreak of the Second World War, Henriette returned to Montreal where she donated the British Army a Spitfire plane and providing lodging for RAF pilots. For her contributions Henriette received an Order of the British Empire.
After the end of the war Henriette founded the "Lady Davis Fund" which helped bring survivors of the Holocaust to Canada. In 1963, Henriette funded the construction of several schools in Israel.
Buildings and funds named after her
- The Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center in Hafia
- The Lady Davis Foundation