Montague Leverson: A Life of Remarkable Achievements

Montague Leverson was a quintessential Renaissance man, whose life and career encompassed a broad spectrum of fields. He was born in London on 2 March 1830 to Montague Levyson and Elizabeth, whose nurturing shaped his formative years. He grew up alongside his brother George Bazett Colvin Leverson, a diamond merchant, and became a beloved uncle to Ernest David Leverson, Ada Leverson’s devoted spouse; his brother James also pursued a career in diamond trading, and both thrived as dynamic managers of Pittar, Leverson & Co. Although he originated from a Jewish family, he opted to discontinue kosher practices at the age of 18. His youth was marred by a tragic incident in which he accidentally shot and killed the family’s parlourmaid, Priscilla Fitzpatrick, while handling a loaded firearm. From 1852 to 1859, he operated as an independent patent agent in Bishopsgate, London, before forming a partnership that would define the next phase of his professional journey.

The trials of Simon François Bernard and Edward Truelove in 1858, referred to as the Orsini affair, elevated Leverson’s status as a radical lawyer, where he acted as their solicitor alongside Edward James. Luigi Pianciani dedicated La Rome des Papes (1859) to him.

Leverson cultivated relationships with notable figures such as Giuseppe Mazzini, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Louis Blanc, and Victor Hugo. His brother George played a pivotal role in fundraising efforts for Garibaldi, with the New York Times in 1860 recognizing his position as Treasurer for a London fundraising initiative.

In 1861, Charles Bradlaugh joined Leverson’s practice as a managing clerk. Later that year, Leverson defended Bradlaugh in a libel lawsuit initiated by Sydney Gedge concerning church rates. An agreement in 1862 allowed Leverson to assist Bradlaugh as a solicitor. Nevertheless, the firm encountered challenges, leading to Bradlaugh’s departure in 1864. In 1865, Leverson became a member of the Council of the Reform League.

Following allegations of misappropriation of client funds, Leverson relocated to France and subsequently to the USA, while leaving his wife Cate, who later established a finishing school in Germany and filed for divorce in 1876. Grounds for divorce included unusual circumstances such as handling a firearm and allegations of poisoning cocoa. She predeceased him, and Leverson returned to England in his 90s to reside with his second wife, Ethel Mary Charlton. His daughter-in-law Emily described him as charming, and his re-naturalization documents highlighted his commendable character.

He possessed an exceptional ability to excel across a variety of disciplines, from the arts to the sciences. Leverson’s early years were characterized by a fervent thirst for knowledge and a profound curiosity about the world around him. This relentless pursuit for understanding prompted a lifelong endeavor of knowledge acquisition through reading, experimentation, and exploration.

Upon completing his education at the University of Cambridge, Leverson embarked on a distinguished career that led to significant contributions as a scientist, inventor, explorer, and philanthropist. His multifaceted expertise enabled him to bridge the divide between theoretical research and practical applications, leaving a lasting impact across various industries. His innovative research in optics resulted in the development of several groundbreaking technologies, including a revolutionary camera lens that transformed the field of photography. This advancement not only improved image quality but also facilitated progress in visual storytelling.

However, Leverson’s interests transcended laboratory confines. In addition to his scientific endeavors, he was deeply involved in humanitarian activities, embracing the belief that a meaningful life encompasses service to others. Leverson was a dedicated adventurer, leading numerous expeditions to remote regions worldwide, from the Amazonian jungles to the Arctic tundra. Whether navigating uncharted lands or engaging in cultural exchanges, he sought to build connections with nature and humanity. Throughout his journeys, he made significant discoveries that expanded our comprehension of the natural world and the diverse cultures inhabiting it. His travels transcended mere adventure; they focused on understanding and documenting the complexities of life in often-underrepresented areas.

Throughout his life, Leverson maintained a steadfast commitment to utilizing his wealth and influence for the betterment of society. He devoted himself to various charitable organizations that aligned with his vision for a more equitable society. A generous patron of the arts, he supported the endeavors of numerous writers, artists, and musicians, and he tirelessly advocated for social and political reform, diligently working to address issues of poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. Through these philanthropic endeavors, he aimed to inspire others to contribute to the greater good.

In a historical context, Mr. Leverson distinguished himself as a homeopathic physician, ardently promoting alternative medical practices during an era when conventional medicine was gaining traction. His steadfast convictions led him to oppose vaccination, positioning him as a notable figure within the anti-vaccination movement. Leverson’s rejection of the germ theory of disease, which posits that microorganisms are responsible for numerous ailments, distinguished him from the prevailing scientific consensus, resulting in a captivating clash of ideologies in a rapidly evolving world.

In 1872, Leverson acquired a ranch in Douglas County, Colorado, near Larkspur, and served as a lecturer on political economy at Golden, Colorado. Later that decade he turned up on The Most Dangerous Street in America, Lincoln, New Mexico. 

Alex McSween along with John Chisum, Montague Leverson and two others arrived in Lincoln by carriage on April 1st 1878, a few minutes after Sheriff Brady was killed.  The carriage passed by the two bloodied bodies of Lincoln’s corrupted lawmen that were still laying in the road a few hours after the shooting. The carriage came to a stop at The Ellis home.
Not long after their arrival, George Peppin, appeared at Ellis’ place and demanded that McSween come outside on an arrest warrant. Peppin was accompanied by Captain Purington and a small detachment of soldiers from Fort Stanton. McSween refused to comply because Peppin was no longer legally a Lincoln County deputy now that The Sheriff was dead.
While McSween was resisting at Ellis’ place, deputy Billy Mathews, backed by a few of his guys and some soldiers, arrested Robert Widenmann and wanted to look in the Tunstall store for a Regulator who was wounded during the Brady killing. Chisum, a well respected man, talked to Captain Purington and asked if McSween surrendered that he be protected by the army. After some hesitation he agreed and McSween went along peacefully. 
Mr. Levenson had previously wrote a letter about the disaster unfolding to President Hayes…
“Two more of Mr Tunstall’s murders have been killed, the sheriff who employed the ruffians his Posse and a noted cattle thief who was also one of the sheriff’s deputies on the occasion of Mr Tunstall’s murder. More Bloodshed will follow unless the governor is at once removed. He is the Mainstay of the thieves and murderers.
I again urge on your excellency the fact that the native element had nothing to do with these troubles and it is of no use looking on it as a Mexican anarchy. This country alone ought to have a population today of 30-40,000 persons and would have it but for the thieves being supported by the government. Chisum had been refused all Aid by the sheriff, by the military and by the governor to protect him from the bandits who in bands of 20 and 30 were stealing the cattle of  his partners Mr Hunter of St Louis.  I am informed that Mr Elkins the ex-delegate offered to pay him $5,000 if Mr Hunter would give up a contract to him for supplying beef which had been awarded to him and would guarantee him that none of his cattle should be  stolen to supply that contract. Mr Hunter had only tendered and self-defense, because the year previous, his cattle had been stolen and the Indian agent Godfrey had knowingly received such stolen cattle from the contractors.”

Levenson also advised Ike Ellis to allow no one access to The Tunstall store, as Ellis was still technically the administrator yet for a tiny bit longer. Levinson reminded Peppin that the constitution would not allow any illegal searches without a warrant. McSween also wrote to President Hayes that night as well.

Leverson actively participated in the Lincoln County War of 1878. In August of that year, he corresponded with Carl Schurz, detailing the circumstances in Lincoln County. He also communicated with President Rutherford B. Hayes, advocating for the removal of Samuel Beach Axtell as Governor of the New Mexico Territory. Subsequently, it became apparent that Leverson was positioning himself for consideration as Governor, a move met with ridicule by The Santa Fe New Mexican.

On-site, Leverson played a significant role in facilitating the release of John Chisum from the San Miguel County jail, where Chisum was detained in spring 1878 due to a debt to Thomas B. Catron. In court, Catron was pursuing a writ of ne exeat. Leverson has been recognized for uniting Chisum’s supporters, resulting in his release on a $25,000 bail, while the debt related to his meat-packing business was addressed. In June, Judge Samuel A. Parks determined that ne exeat could not be issued in New Mexico.

Leverson was ostensibly invited to Lincoln, New Mexico, by Juan Patrón, a member of the New Mexico Territorial Legislature in Santa Fe, who was elected Speaker in 1877. It has been suggested that he was already in business association with Chisum. In his correspondence, he positioned himself as keenly interested in establishing a significant English colony in the lower Pecos Valley, where Chisum’s ranch was located, hindered solely by a lack of law and order. His extensive letter-writing targeted influential members of the Santa Fe Ring, including Catron and Stephen Benton Elkins.

Frank Warner Angel, the Special Agent investigating the violence in New Mexico, summarized Leverson as being “well-informed, possessing knowledge exceeding what he can substantiate, and being considerably more informed than others,” and identified him as a staunch supporter of Alexander McSween.

In 1879, Leverson set out for the vibrant city of San Francisco, where he embraced the life of a lawyer. It was a time when he forged his way as a member of the California State Assembly, representing the 12th district from 1883 to 1884. It was around 1880 in California that he crossed paths with Henry George, introducing himself as a political economist while reminiscing about his 1876 primer on the subject from New York. He fondly spoke of influential English figures like William Ellis and John Stuart Mill, and recalled the moment he first read George’s Progress and Poverty (1879), thanks to Joseph LeConte, which sparked a desire to revisit and refine his own work. In his heart, he embraced Georgism as a guiding philosophy.

At the cherished Proportional Representation Congress in Chicago in 1893, Leverson took the stage to share his thoughts on “The Proxy System as a Means of Real Representation.” He highlighted that a similar system, inspired by a joint-stock company, was part of his draft proposal for the constitution of Colorado State back in 1875. Yet, during that time, he leaned towards a more straightforward approach to proportional representation.

During the poignant times of the Philippine–American War, Leverson found himself standing with the American Anti-Imperialist League. With a courageous heart, he wrote from Fort Hamilton to Emilio Aguinaldo, a gesture that critics would label as “seditious.” Another letter to Galicano Apacible led the League to distance him from their ranks. In February 1900, he passionately addressed an anti-imperialist rally in Philadelphia, sending the heartfelt text of his speech to none other than Leo Tolstoy.

Montague Leverson passed away in 1925, at Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, after getting a passport a returning to England. He left a legacy that continues to inspire individuals globally. His contributions span generations, serving as a reminder of the profound influence one person can wield over society. His life exemplifies the significance of curiosity, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to effecting positive change in the world. Leverson’s journey embodies the belief that every individual’s pursuit of their passions can culminate in the collective enrichment of the human experience.