Origins
The family's rise to international prominence began with Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744–1812). Born in the ghetto (called "Judengasse" or Jew Alley) of Frankfurt-am-Main, he developed a finance house and spread his empire by installing each of his five sons in European cities to conduct business. An essential part of Mayer Rothschild's strategy for future success was to keep control of their businesses in family hands, allowing them to maintain full discretion about the size of their wealth and their business achievements. Mayer Rothschild successfully kept the fortune in the family with carefully arranged marriages between closely related family members. His sons were:
Amschel Mayer Rothschild (1773–1855): Frankfurt
Salomon Mayer Rothschild (1774–1855): Vienna
Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777–1836): London
Calmann Mayer Rothschild (1788–1855): Naples
James Mayer Rothschild (1792–1868): Paris
The Rothschild coat of arms contains a clenched fist with five arrows symbolizing the five sons of Mayer Rothschild, a reference to Psalm 127. The family motto appears below the shield, in Latin, Concordia, Integritas, Industria, (Harmony, Integrity, Industry).[1] The German family name means "Red Shield".
Families by country:
Rothschild banking family of Naples
Rothschild banking family of England
Rothschild banking family of Austria
Rothschild banking family of France
Amschel Mayer Rothschild (1773–1855): Frankfurt
Salomon Mayer Rothschild (1774–1855): Vienna
Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777–1836): London
Calmann Mayer Rothschild (1788–1855): Naples
James Mayer Rothschild (1792–1868): Paris
The Rothschild coat of arms contains a clenched fist with five arrows symbolizing the five sons of Mayer Rothschild, a reference to Psalm 127. The family motto appears below the shield, in Latin, Concordia, Integritas, Industria, (Harmony, Integrity, Industry).[1] The German family name means "Red Shield".
Families by country:
Rothschild banking family of Naples
Rothschild banking family of England
Rothschild banking family of Austria
Rothschild banking family of France
British war effort and Napoleon
The basis for the Rothschild fortune was laid during the latter stages of the Napoleonic Wars. From 1813 to 1815, Nathan Mayer Rothschild in London was instrumental in the financing of the British war effort, handling the shipment of bullion to the Duke of Wellington's army in Portugal and Spain, as well as arranging the payment of British financial subsidies to their Continental allies. Through the commissions earned on these transactions, the Rothschild fortune grew enormously.
The four brothers helped co-ordinate activities across the continent, and the family developed a network of agents, shippers and couriers to transport gold and information across Europe. This private intelligence service enabled Nathan to receive in London the news of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo a full day ahead of the government's official messengers.[2]
Nathan Mayer Rothschild started his London business, N. M. Rothschild and Sons in 1811 at New Court in St Swithin's Lane, City of London, where it trades today. In 1818, he arranged a £5 million loan to the Prussian government, and the issuing of bonds for government loans formed a mainstay of his bank’s business. He gained a position of such power in the City of London that by 1825–6 he was able to supply enough coin to the Bank of England to enable it to avert a market liquidity crisis.
The four brothers helped co-ordinate activities across the continent, and the family developed a network of agents, shippers and couriers to transport gold and information across Europe. This private intelligence service enabled Nathan to receive in London the news of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo a full day ahead of the government's official messengers.[2]
Nathan Mayer Rothschild started his London business, N. M. Rothschild and Sons in 1811 at New Court in St Swithin's Lane, City of London, where it trades today. In 1818, he arranged a £5 million loan to the Prussian government, and the issuing of bonds for government loans formed a mainstay of his bank’s business. He gained a position of such power in the City of London that by 1825–6 he was able to supply enough coin to the Bank of England to enable it to avert a market liquidity crisis.
Elevated to the nobility
In 1816, four of the brothers were each ennobled by Austrian Emperor Francis I; Nathan was elevated in 1818. All of them were granted the Austrian title of baron or Freiherr on 29 September 1822. As such, some members of the family used "de" or "von" Rothschild to acknowledge the grant of nobility. In 1885, Nathan Mayer Rothschild II (1840–1915) of the London branch of the family, was granted the peerage title Baron Rothschild in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.
Rothschild family banking businesses pioneered international high finance during the industrialisation of Europe and were instrumental in supporting railway systems across the world and in complex government financing for projects such as the Suez Canal. Major businesses directly founded by Rothschild family capital include Alliance Assurance (1824) (now Royal & SunAlliance); Chemin de Fer du Nord (1845); Rio Tinto Group (1873); Société Le Nickel (1880) (now Eramet); and Imétal (1962) (now Imerys).
After amassing huge fortunes, the name Rothschild became synonymous with banking and great wealth, and the family was renowned for its art collecting, as well as for its philanthropy.
In 1901, with no male heir to take it on, the Frankfurt House closed its doors after more than a century in business. It was not until 1989 that they returned when N M Rothschild & Sons, the British investment arm, plus Bank Rothschild AG, the Swiss branch, set up a representative banking office in Frankfurt.
Rothschild family banking businesses pioneered international high finance during the industrialisation of Europe and were instrumental in supporting railway systems across the world and in complex government financing for projects such as the Suez Canal. Major businesses directly founded by Rothschild family capital include Alliance Assurance (1824) (now Royal & SunAlliance); Chemin de Fer du Nord (1845); Rio Tinto Group (1873); Société Le Nickel (1880) (now Eramet); and Imétal (1962) (now Imerys).
After amassing huge fortunes, the name Rothschild became synonymous with banking and great wealth, and the family was renowned for its art collecting, as well as for its philanthropy.
In 1901, with no male heir to take it on, the Frankfurt House closed its doors after more than a century in business. It was not until 1989 that they returned when N M Rothschild & Sons, the British investment arm, plus Bank Rothschild AG, the Swiss branch, set up a representative banking office in Frankfurt.
Zionism
The Rothschilds were supporters of the State of Israel, and Baron Edmond James de Rothschild was a patron of the first settlement in Palestine at Rishon-LeZion. In 1917 Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild was the addressee of the Balfour Declaration, which committed the British government to the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.
James A. de Rothschild financed the Knesset building as a gift to the State of Israel.
The Supreme Court of Israel building was donated to Israel by Dorothy de Rothschild.[3] Outside the President's Chamber is displayed the letter Ms. Rothschild wrote to Prime Minister Shimon Peres expressing her intention to donate a new building for the Supreme Court.
James A. de Rothschild financed the Knesset building as a gift to the State of Israel.
The Supreme Court of Israel building was donated to Israel by Dorothy de Rothschild.[3] Outside the President's Chamber is displayed the letter Ms. Rothschild wrote to Prime Minister Shimon Peres expressing her intention to donate a new building for the Supreme Court.
Modern business
In July 2003, a major reorganization of the Rothschild business structure took place when the London and Paris banks were united through a new master holding company, Concordia BV, under the chairmanship of David René de Rothschild. Under this banner, Rothschild et Cie Banque controls the banking businesses in France and continental Europe, while Rothschilds Continuation Holdings AG controls banking elsewhere, including N M Rothschild & Sons in London.[5] Twenty percent of Rothschild Continuation Holdings AG was sold in 2005 to Jardine Strategic, which is a subsidiary of Jardine, Matheson & Co. of Hong Kong.
N M Rothschild & Sons does most of its business as a mergers and acquisitions advisor. In 2006, it ranked second in UK M&A with deals totalling $104.9 billion.[6] In 2006, it recorded a pre-tax profit of £83.2 million with total assets of £5.5 billion.[7]
Another descendant of James, Edmond Adolphe de Rothschild (1926–1997) founded the LCF Rothschild Group, based in Geneva, which today extends to 15 countries across the world. The group's primary businesses include Banque Privée Edmond de Rothschild S.A., La Compagnie Benjamin de Rothschild S.A., and COGIFRANCE. Although this Group is primarily a financial entity, specialising in asset management and private banking, its activities also cover winemaking (with estates in Bordeaux, South Africa and Argentina), mixed farming, luxury hotels, and yacht racing. The LCF Rothschild Group is currently presided over by Benjamin de Rothschild, Baron Edmond's son.
In 1980, Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild resigned from N M Rothschild & Sons and took independent control of Rothschild Investment Trust (now RIT Capital Partners, the UK's largest investment trust.) He went on to found J. Rothschild Assurance Group (now St James's Place Capital) with Sir Mark Weinberg in 1991.[8]
N M Rothschild & Sons does most of its business as a mergers and acquisitions advisor. In 2006, it ranked second in UK M&A with deals totalling $104.9 billion.[6] In 2006, it recorded a pre-tax profit of £83.2 million with total assets of £5.5 billion.[7]
Another descendant of James, Edmond Adolphe de Rothschild (1926–1997) founded the LCF Rothschild Group, based in Geneva, which today extends to 15 countries across the world. The group's primary businesses include Banque Privée Edmond de Rothschild S.A., La Compagnie Benjamin de Rothschild S.A., and COGIFRANCE. Although this Group is primarily a financial entity, specialising in asset management and private banking, its activities also cover winemaking (with estates in Bordeaux, South Africa and Argentina), mixed farming, luxury hotels, and yacht racing. The LCF Rothschild Group is currently presided over by Benjamin de Rothschild, Baron Edmond's son.
In 1980, Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild resigned from N M Rothschild & Sons and took independent control of Rothschild Investment Trust (now RIT Capital Partners, the UK's largest investment trust.) He went on to found J. Rothschild Assurance Group (now St James's Place Capital) with Sir Mark Weinberg in 1991.[8]
Prominent descendants of Mayer Amschel Rothschild
Alphonse James de Rothschild (1827–1905)
Sir Anthony Rothschild (1810–1876)
Bethsabée de Rothschild (1914–1999)
Charles Rothschild (1877–1923), banker and entomologist
David Lionel de Rothschild (b. 1955), British horticulturist
David Mayer de Rothschild (b. 1978), British adventurer and environmentalist
David René de Rothschild (born 1942)
Edmond James de Rothschild (1845–1934)
Elie de Rothschild (1917–2007)
Emma Rothschild (born 1948)
Gail Rothschild (1943 - 2007)
Guy de Rothschild (1909–2007)
Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild (1839–1898)
Hannah Primrose, Countess of Rosebery née Hannah Rothschild (1851–1890)
Henri James de Rothschild (1872–1946)
Henriette Rothschild (1791–1866) married Sir Moses Montefiore (1784–1885)
James Armand de Rothschild (1878–1957)
James Mayer Rothschild (1792–1868)
Mayer Amschel de Rothschild (1818–1874)
Kathleen Annie Pannonica Rothschild (Baroness Nica de Koenigswarter) (1913–1988)
Leopold de Rothschild (1845–1917)
Lionel Nathan Rothschild (1808–1879)
Miriam Louisa Rothschild (1908–2005)
Lionel Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild of the United Kingdom (1868–1937)
Nathaniel de Rothschild (1812–1870)
Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777–1836)
Nathan Mayer Rothschild, 1st Baron Rothschild of the United Kingdom (1840–1915)
Nathaniel Charles Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild of the United Kingdom (born 1936)
Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild of the United Kingdom (1910–1990)
Philippe de Rothschild (1902-88)
Count Joachim Von Rothschild, Commendatore (1929–1998), Diplomat
Philippine de Rothschild (1935-)
Cecilia Bauer Rothschild de St. Yves (1952-)
Julius de Rothschild (1981-)
Philippe de Rothschild (1982-)
Simon de Rothschild (1971-)
Nathaniel Philip Rothschild (born 1971-)
Claudia Carabias Rothschild (1979-)
Mariana Carabias Rothschild (1982-)
Sandra Carabias Rothschild (1985-)
Melina Rothschild (1990-) community activist of Lamroth Hakol
Jeffrey Rothschild (1975-)
Joshua Rothschild (1979-)
Jessica Rothschild (1981-)
David Rothschild (1977-)
Nathan Rothschild (1984-)
By marriage:
Elisabeth de Rothschild (1902–1945)
Pauline de Rothschild (1908–1976)
Jeanne de Rothschild (1908–2003), actress
Liliane de Rothschild (1916–2003) art collector
Marlene M.R.C. de Rothschild (1943-) art collector
Conspiracy theories
In Fritz Springmeier's book Bloodlines of the Illuminati, he argues that the Rothschild family is one of 13 dynastic bloodlines linked to the Illuminati. New World Order conspiracy theories present the Rothschilds, Rockefellers, Phipps', DuPonts, Vanderbilts, Bush family, etc. as the real rulers or would-be rulers of the world.[9][citation needed]
The acclaimed poet Ezra Pound, in his World War II radio propaganda broadcasts from Fascist Italy, openly named the Rothschilds as the masters of a clique of banking houses that caused the World Wars in order to profit from them and get countries in debt to the lending central banks, which Pound claimed the Rothschild interests owned and exercised control of a nation's policy by having the power to issue the nation's money. Earlier, in 1935, Pound had speculated that "organized anti-Semitism might be the hidden war of Swiss Protestant dynasties against the Rothschilds, whom they had never forgiven for breaking into their banking monopoly."[10]
The acclaimed poet Ezra Pound, in his World War II radio propaganda broadcasts from Fascist Italy, openly named the Rothschilds as the masters of a clique of banking houses that caused the World Wars in order to profit from them and get countries in debt to the lending central banks, which Pound claimed the Rothschild interests owned and exercised control of a nation's policy by having the power to issue the nation's money. Earlier, in 1935, Pound had speculated that "organized anti-Semitism might be the hidden war of Swiss Protestant dynasties against the Rothschilds, whom they had never forgiven for breaking into their banking monopoly."[10]
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