Nathaniel Mayer ('Natty'), 1st Lord Rothschild (1840-1915) was the eldest son of Lionel and Charlotte de Rothschild. He made a love match with his cousin, Emma Louise (1844-1937), whom he married in her home city of Frankfurt on 17 April 1867.
Noted for their enlighthened philanthropy, the couple were both concerned with welfare issues for their employees at Tring, and in the wider world. Natty held honorary positions in virtually every institution of Anglo-Jewry. He showed a particular interest in housing in the East End of London, through the 4% Industrial Dwellings Company. Natty and his wife Emma (1844-1937) made donations and endowments (totalling many millions of pounds in today's money) to a staggering range of of charities, organisations, societies and groups encompassing health, education, social welfare, and leisure activities, both Jewish and non-Jewish alike. Natty took over the senior partnership of the London House from his father who died in 1879.
Natty became the first Jewish peer in 1885, retaining his own name in his new title - Lord Rothschild of Tring.
On the occasion of Lord Rothschild's 70th birthday, on 8 November 1910, he received many testimonials and votes of thanks from the committees, trustees and boards of organisations that enjoyed his patronage and support. Many of these documents were miniature works of art. The pages that follow celebrate these grand birthday cards, and explore the organisations that created them. To view for fully digitised images of all the Testimonials, browse the Testimonials Gallery here »
