Author: Hort, Rachel
Biography:
HORT, Rachel, later LEVI, later WALEY (1790-1854: ancestry.com)
Her only known publication, the volume of Poems on Miscellaneous Subjects (1811) was published as the work of “Miss R--- H---,” understood to be “very young” but in the opinion of at least one reviewer possessing “strong indications of poetic genius.” The style and choice of subjects suggest a well-to-do and well educated young woman: there are translations from German, a hymn addressed to her sister, recollections of holidays in Brighton, and many love-poems (some with a male persona). The author was Rachel or Rachael Hort, younger daughter of Nahum Hort (1740-1825), of the City of London, and his wife Jane Waley (1770-1830). The family were observant, assimilated Jews; the father of Jane Waley was a rabbi, Simeon Waley. On 3 June 1817 the Morning Post reported the marriage “on Wednesday last” of “the accomplished and lovely Miss Rachel Hort” to Solomon Jacob Levi, Esq. (1791-1864). The marriage was conducted by the Chief Rabbi, Solomon Hirschell--at the Great Synagogue according to official records, although the news report cites the London Tavern. The couple had four children. In Sept. 1834 Levi was granted permission to take the name and arms of Waley, and the family thereafter bore that name. The eldest son, Jacob Waley, became a prominent barrister in London, and his younger brother Simon, a stockbroker like their father, was a gifted amateur musician and composer. By the time of the Censuses of 1841 and 1851 they were established at 22 Devonshire Place, London, next door to the household of Sir Thomas Baring. Rachel’s elder sister Julia lived with them until her death in 1849. Rachel died there on 17 Oct. 1854 and was buried in the Brompton Jewish Cemetery, where there is still a headstone. Solomon Jacob Waley died on 1 Feb. 1864, leaving effects valued at under £90,000. (ancestry.com 30 Nov. 2022; findmypast.com 30 Nov. 2022; “Waley, Jacob,” ODNB 30 Nov. 2022; Morning Post 3 June 1817; Eclectic Review 15:1 [1812], 437; Select Reviews of Literature [1812], 142; Daily News 20 Oct. 1854; GRO death cert.; contributions by AA)
Other Names:
- Miss R--- H---