Meyer Amschel Rothschild
Meyer Amschel Rothschild, (1744-1812). German financier of Jewish origin. He became financial adviser to the ruler of Hesse in 1801 and during the Napoleonic Wars built up a large and influential family banking business. His five sons, who were created barons in 1822, continued the business, which had branches in London, Paris, Vienna and Naples. Lionel Nathan (1808-79), a grandson of Meyer, became the first Jewish MP in 1858. Lionel Walter (1868-1937) was a naturalist who made important collections of birds and insects. His son Nathaniel (1910-90) was a zoologist and administrator, who worked in military intelligence during World War II. The Rothschilds bequeathed to the nation a number of country houses in England, including Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury, now administered by the National Trust. The origin of the surname Rothschild has been much researched; it probably comes from the red shield that was the sign of the Rothschild house in Frankfurt.
