Leo Schultz (councillor)

Sir Joseph Leopold Schultz, OBE (4 February 1900 – 21 July 1991)[1] was a British politician who was a dominant figure in Kingston upon Hull during the twentieth century.

He was an active councillor for many years, and was leader of the City Council from 1945 to 1979.

. . . Leo Schultz (councillor) . . .

Leo Schultz was born in 1900, the son of a Polish immigrant, Solomon Schultz, and his wife (née Hiller).[2][3]

At the age of 15 he came first in regional exams for a scholarship for Oxford University, but was told that the university was not a suitable choice for someone of his working-class background and Jewish religion.[4] He later became a socialist and used his skills in the realm of public service,[4] his political career began in 1926 as a Labour councillor for the Myton ward of Hull.[5]

In 1919 he met, and in 1928 married Kate (Kitty) Pickersgill.[6]

Before the Second World War, Leo Schultz campaigned for Hull City Council to build bomb shelters. He was successful and the shelters helped save many lives.[7][8] During the war, he was decorated for his work as an Air Raid Warden,[4] and also served as Lord Mayor from 1942–3.[9]

From 1945 to 1979 Schultz was leader of Hull City Council.[4] His role in Kingston upon Hull’s public life led him to receiving the moniker “Lion of Hull”,[2] or “Mr. Hull”.[9]

He received an OBE in 1946, in part for his work during the war, and was knighted in 1966 for services to local government,[5] he received an honorary doctorate of Law from Hull University in 1979.[10]

Kitty Schultz died in 1975, Leo Schultz died in 1991 aged 91.[2][6]

. . . Leo Schultz (councillor) . . .

. . . Leo Schultz (councillor) . . .