August Belmont

August Belmont, Sr. (December 8, 1816 – November 24, 1890) was born in Alzei, Prussia. He immigrated to New York City in 1837 after becoming the American representative of the Rothschild family's banking house in Frankfort. On receiving his American citizenship, he married Caroline Perry, daughter of Commodore Matthew Perry.

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In 1844, Belmont was named the consul-general of Austria at New York. He resigned in 1850 in response to what he viewed as Austria's cruel treatment of Hungary. In the years following, he served as charg d'affaires for the United States at the Hague, as well as the American minister at the same place.

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As a delegate to the Democratic Convention in 1860, he supported Stephen A. Douglas. He was named the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee the same year in Baltimore, and held this position until his death in 1872. He energetically supported the Union cause during the Civil War, and exerted a strong influence in favour of the North upon the merchants and financiers of England and France.

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An avid sportsman, the famed Belmont Stakes thoroughbred horse race is named in his honor.

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His sons Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont and August Belmont, Jr. both rose to prominence in their own right.

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He died in New York in 1890 and a volume entitled Letters, Speeches and Addresses of August Belmont (the elder) was published at New York in 1890.

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December 8: December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 23 days remaining....

1816: 1816 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar)....

November 24: November 24 is the 328th day (329th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar....

August Belmont related Images and Photos (experimental)

August	August Rush (BD)	August Morning	August Evening
August Sunflowers	August Rush (WS/FS/DVD)	August Afternoon Paris	August Afternoon Paris
"Lawn Party " August 1 1974	August in the City	August Blue circa 1911	"Surf Swimming " August 14 1948