Hodgkin, Thomas. Narrative of a Journey to Morocco, in 1863 and 1864

Dr. Thomas Hodgkin (1798-1866) was a pioneer in preventive medicine. He is best known for the first account of a form of lymphoma and blood disease, now known as Hodgkin's disease. As personal physician to Sir Moses Montefiore for forty years, Hodgkin was the philanthropists’ constant travelling companion. This fascinating travelogue of exotic Morocco, relates to Sir Moses Montefiore's diplomatic mission to present the Sultan of Morocco with a petition designed to alleviate the travail of the Jews of Morocco. The mission accomplished, the Sultan granted a Firman guaranteeing the rights of his Jewish subjects. Hodgkin notes: “This interesting and important document assures the equal protection of the law to the Israelites of Morocco, in common with the other subjects of the Sultan, and is couched in terms strongly evincing the excellent intentions of his Sheriffian Majesty” (p. 124). Thomas Hodgkin died on April 5, 1866, in the Holy Land, where he had accompanied Montefiore on yet another of his missions on behalf of the Jews. He was buried in a small Protestant churchyard in Jaffa where Sir Moses carried the costs of erecting an obelisk in memory of his friend. Although this cemetery is now closed, Hodgkins’ grave still remains. Amalie Kass observes that Hodgkins’ Quaker beliefs sensitized him to the plight of suffering Jews. See A. M. Kass, Friends and Philanthropists: Montefiore and Dr. Hodgkin, in: S. and V.D. Lipman eds., The Century of Moses Montefiore (1985), pp. 71-103; and David Littman, Mission to Morocco (1863-1864), ibid., pp.171-229.