Nellie Ionides

She is best known for saving the 18th-century Octagon Room at Orleans House in Twickenham from destruction, and for donating this and also many pieces from her extensive art collection to the local council (now the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames).

Born on 2 July 1883, she was the second child and the elder daughter of Sir Marcus Samuel and his wife Fanny (née Benjamin).

[3] When Nellie died and Buxted House was sold, it was bought by Kenneth Shipman who owned Twickenham Film Studios.

Nellie Ionides purchased the adjoining 1721 Octagon Room designed by James Gibbs, and the stables buildings, saving them from destruction.

Nellie Ionides died on 15 November 1962[6] and is buried at Golders Green Jewish Cemetery, as is her first husband, Walter Henry Levy.

On her death, the Municipal Borough of Twickenham – which was absorbed three years later into the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames – was bequeathed the Octagon Room, its surrounding buildings (now the Orleans House Gallery) and the grounds of Orleans House, together with Nellie Ionides' art collection of local topographical views.