Mayer Amschel Rothschild family

The Mayer Amschel Rothschild family (often referred to simply as The Rothschilds, even though there are some people called Rothschild who do not belong to this family) is an eminent international banking and finance dynasty of German Jewish origin that established operations across Europe, and was ennobled by the Austro-Hungarian and British governments.

French branches

There are two branches of the family connected to France. The first was son James Mayer Rothschild (1792-1868), known as "James", who established Banque Rothschild & Cie in Paris. Following the Napoleonic Wars, he played a major role in financing the construction of railroads and the mining business that helped make France an industrial power. James' sons Gustave de Rothschild and Alphonse James de Rothschild continued the banking tradition and were responsible for raising the money to pay the compensation demanded by the occupying Prussian army in the 1870s Franco-Prussian War. Ensuing generations of the Paris Rothschild family remained involved in the family business, becoming a major force in international investment banking. The onslaught of competition from publicly traded banking giants from the United States and the European Union, who came with enormous capital at their disposal, resulted in the 2003 merger of the privately owned Rothschild banking house in France with its British banking cousins to create a single umbrella holding company.

Related Topics:
France - James Mayer Rothschild - Banque Rothschild & Cie - Napoleon - Gustave de Rothschild - Alphonse James de Rothschild - Prussian - Franco-Prussian War - United States - European Union

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The second French branch was founded by Nathaniel de Rothschild (1812-1870). Born in London he was the fourth child of the founder of the British branch of the family, Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836). In 1850, Nathaniel Rothschild moved to Paris, ostensibly to work with his uncle, James Mayer Rothschild. However, in 1853 Nathaniel acquired Château Brane Mouton, a vineyard in Pauillac in the Gironde département. Nathaniel Rothschild renamed the estate, Château Mouton Rothschild and it would become one of the best known labels in the world. In 1868, Nathaniel's uncle, James acquired the neighboring Chateau Lafite vineyard.

Related Topics:
Nathaniel de Rothschild - London - Nathan Mayer Rothschild - 1853 - Pauillac - Gironde - Château Mouton Rothschild - James - Chateau Lafite

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The Paris business suffered a near death blow in 1982 when the Socialist government of François Mitterrand nationalized and renamed it. Baron David de Rothschild, then 39, decided to stay and rebuild, creating a new entity with just three employees and $1 million in capital. Today, the Paris operation has 22 partners and accounts for a significant chunk of the global business.

Related Topics:
François Mitterrand - David de Rothschild

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