Date of Birth: December 21, 1804
Place of Birth: London, England
Date of Death: April 19, 1881
Place of Death: London, England
Ethnicity: Sephardi Jewish (baptized Protestant)
Benjamin Disraeli was a British politician and writer. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, from 27 February 1868 to 1 December 1868, and again from 20 February 1874 to 21 April 1880.
Prime Minister Disraeli was the son of Maria (Basevi), born in Bloomsbury, London, and Isaac D’Israeli, born in Enfield, Middlesex, who was a literary critic, historian, and man of letters. His parents were both Sephardi Jews. However, in 1817, when Benjamin was twelve, his father had his children, including Benjamin, baptized into the Church of England.
Prime Minister Disraeli’s paternal grandparents were Benjamin D’israeli (the son of Isaac Israeli and Enrichetta/Rica Rossi/De Rossi) and Sarah Shiprut/Syprut de Gabay Villa Real (the daughter of Isaac Shiprut/Syprut de Gabay Villa Real and Esther). Prime Minister Disraeli’s grandfather Benjamin, a merchant and financier, was born in Cento or Ferrara, Italy, and his own father was possibly born in Turkey. Sarah was born in Leghorn, Italy. Esther was possibly born in Bloomsbury, England.
Prime Minister Disraeli’s maternal grandparents were Naphtali/Nathan Basevi Cervetto (the son of Salomone Basevi Cervetto and Ricca Levi) and Rebecca/Ricca Rieti (the daughter of Abraham Vita Rieti and Sarah Cardoso). Naphtali/Nathan was born in Verona, Italy. Rebecca/Ricca was born in Mantua, Italy, or England.
Prime Minister Disraeli was the first person of Jewish heritage to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The other Prime Minister of verified Jewish ancestry is David Cameron (serving for the Conservative Party since 2010). James Callaghan (serving for the Labour Party from April 1976 to May 1979) possibly had a Jewish paternal grandmother or great-grandfather, although it is not clear if this has been verified. Out of the three, only Prime Minister Disraeli was Jewish by religion (although not while in office).
Sources: Genealogies of Benjamin Disraeli – https://www.geni.com
http://www.wikitree.com
http://www.edwardjdavies.info
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com