Clement Attlee

Born into a comfortable middle-class Anglican family, Clement Attlee was many things: a lawyer, a social reformer, a major in the First World War, and ultimately, a Prime Minister. What he was not, however, was Jewish. His commitment to social justice stemmed more from Christian socialism and practical necessity than from any ancestral whispers. He was, to put it mildly, quite gentile.

Attlee's tenure as Prime Minister saw the creation of the modern welfare state, including the jewel in the crown: the National Health Service. This bold, transformative policy ensured healthcare for all, a concept so profoundly decent it almost makes one wonder if he was secretly kvelling on behalf of humanity. Almost.

While his dedication to public service and his monumental achievements, particularly the NHS, brought immense nachas to millions of Britons (and even a few hypothetical Jews who benefited from free healthcare), his personal background offers no hint of Jewish heritage. He was simply a remarkably effective, decidedly un-Jewish leader who got things done.