Max Rayne
Encyclopedia
Max Rayne, Baron Rayne was a supporter of medical, religious, education and arts charities in England.
(which later gave him an honorary doctorate). After National Service
with the RAF
in the Second World War Rayne rejoined the family clothing firm. Using sub-leases on its premises as his source of finance, he directed his attention to land and property development in bomb-damaged central London.
and sister of Lady Annabel Goldsmith
) and they had four children: Natasha Deborah (b. 1966), Nicholas Alexander (b. 1969), Tamara Annabel (b. 1970) and Alexander Philip (b. 1973).
Although acting through the Foundation, Rayne took a close personal interest in the causes it supported. He was soon on the governing bodies of most of the London Teaching Hospital
s, where his business skills were highly valued, and prominent Jewish charities. In 1964 Darwin College
Cambridge was founded with support from the Rayne Foundation and a personal donation from Rayne himself, and this is acknowledged by the college in two notable ways: Firstly, on the college's coat of arms, which superimposes Rayne's coat of arms alongside that of the Darwin Family's where the college gains its namesake. Secondly, the central building to the college is named The Rayne Building. Today, however, he is mostly remembered for his support for the arts: music, ballet, painting and the theatre. He was Chairman of the board of the National Theatre
from 1971 until 1988 and so oversaw its move from the Old Vic to the present building in 1976.
Lord Rayne was knighted in 1969 and made a life peer
as Baron Rayne, of Prince's Meadow in the County of Greater London
, in 1976. He was also created a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur
in 1973, later promoted to Officier.
In 2007, using money from the Rayne Foundation, the Hand in Hand School
, a bilingual school located in Jerusalem was founded to teach Arabs and Jews alongside each other.
Early life
Rayne came from a Jewish family. His father, Phillip, was a garment manufacturer living in the East End of London. It was a modest but cultured home - his grandfather had been a Hebrew scholar and teacher and his father had a lively interest in music, opera and conversation. Max was educated at the nearby religious, but non-denominational, Central Foundation School, Bow. Max studied psychology and accountancy and took a night course in law at University CollegeUniversity College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
(which later gave him an honorary doctorate). After National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
with the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in the Second World War Rayne rejoined the family clothing firm. Using sub-leases on its premises as his source of finance, he directed his attention to land and property development in bomb-damaged central London.
Family
In 1941, Rayne married Margaret Marco and they had three children: Madeleine Barbara (b. 1943), Susan Ann (b. 1945) and Robert Anthony (b. 1949). Rayne and his wife divorced in 1960 and on 2 June 1965, he married Lady Jane Vane-Tempest-Stewart (a daughter of the 8th Marquess of LondonderryEdward Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 8th Marquess of Londonderry
Edward Charles Stewart Robert "Robin" Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 8th Marquess of Londonderry, DL was an Irish peer and politician....
and sister of Lady Annabel Goldsmith
Lady Annabel Goldsmith
Lady Annabel Goldsmith is a British socialite and the eponym for a celebrated London nightclub of the late 20th century, Annabel's. She was first married for two decades to entrepreneur Mark Birley, the creator of Annabel's, which she helped make a glamorous success as her husband's inaugural...
) and they had four children: Natasha Deborah (b. 1966), Nicholas Alexander (b. 1969), Tamara Annabel (b. 1970) and Alexander Philip (b. 1973).
Rayne Foundation
As Rayne had judged, the opportunities offered in the post-war period of booming reconstruction led to substantial business success and when, in 1962, he set up the Rayne Foundation and endowed it with a substantial shareholding in his companies, he created a well funded and influential charitable institution.Although acting through the Foundation, Rayne took a close personal interest in the causes it supported. He was soon on the governing bodies of most of the London Teaching Hospital
Teaching hospital
A teaching hospital is a hospital that provides clinical education and training to future and current doctors, nurses, and other health professionals, in addition to delivering medical care to patients...
s, where his business skills were highly valued, and prominent Jewish charities. In 1964 Darwin College
Darwin College, Cambridge
Darwin College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.Founded in 1964, Darwin was Cambridge University's first graduate-only college, and also the first to admit both men and women. The college is named after the family of one of the university's most famous graduates, Charles Darwin...
Cambridge was founded with support from the Rayne Foundation and a personal donation from Rayne himself, and this is acknowledged by the college in two notable ways: Firstly, on the college's coat of arms, which superimposes Rayne's coat of arms alongside that of the Darwin Family's where the college gains its namesake. Secondly, the central building to the college is named The Rayne Building. Today, however, he is mostly remembered for his support for the arts: music, ballet, painting and the theatre. He was Chairman of the board of the National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
from 1971 until 1988 and so oversaw its move from the Old Vic to the present building in 1976.
Lord Rayne was knighted in 1969 and made a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
as Baron Rayne, of Prince's Meadow in the County of Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
, in 1976. He was also created a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
in 1973, later promoted to Officier.
In 2007, using money from the Rayne Foundation, the Hand in Hand School
Hand in Hand: Center for Jewish Arab Education in Israel
Hand in Hand: Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel is a network of award-winning bilingual schools where Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel can study together...
, a bilingual school located in Jerusalem was founded to teach Arabs and Jews alongside each other.