VAN OVEN, BARNARD: English physician and communal worker; born
in London 1796; died there July 9, 1860; youngest son of Joshua
Van Oven. He was brought up for the medical profession, studying
under Sir William Blizard and receiving the degree of L.R.C.S.
in 1818. He practised in London during his whole life, and had
an extensive clientele among the Jewish community. Van Oven was
one of the pioneers in the movement for the removal of the
disabilities of the Jews in England. In 1829 he wrote the first
appeal which directed public attention to the subject, and which
was entitled "An Appeal to the British Nation on Behalf of the
Jews." He followed this up by organizing committees in support
of the movement, and by convening public meetings, at which he
was an indefatigable speaker. In 1847 he published the pamphlet
"Ought Baron Rothschild to Sit in Parliament?" He was
subsequently appointed chairman of the committee which
celebrated the success of the agitation by the establishment of
commemoration scholarships a