ר׳ נפתלי צבי הירש הכהן אדלר

ר׳ נפתלי צבי הירש הכהן אדלר (1839–1911), generally known as Hermann Adler, was Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire. Born in Hanover to ר׳ נתן מרקוס אדלר, he moved to London after his father became chief rabbi. He combined university and rabbinical study in London, Prague and Leipzig, receiving a doctorate in 1862 and rabbinical authorisation from ר׳ שלמה יהודה ליב רפפורט. In 1863 he became principal of Jews' College and in 1864 minister of Bayswater Synagogue. From 1879 he carried much of his ageing father's workload, succeeding him formally in 1891. Adler defended Judaism publicly, supervised an expanding imperial congregational network, wrote on Anglo-Jewish history and published sermons. He consecrated synagogues across Britain and Ireland and received the CVO in 1909. His polished public role strengthened the status of the British chief rabbinate, although his centralised authority also operated amid substantial religious and social diversity. He died in London in 1911 and was buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery.