In one generation covering the first third of the nineteenth century, the Rothschild family emerged from the Jewish ghetto in Frankfurt to become figures on the international stage, known throughout the western world as leading international bankers and as - probably - the world's wealthiest family.
Nathan Mayer Rothschild had come to Manchester in 1798 as a textile merchant. In 1806 he married Hannah Barent Cohen, the daughter of a wealthy London Jewish merchant, and began to move his business to London. Nathan had been passionate in his concern for Jewish issues and for minority rights in general. He had worked hard to achieve greater rights for Jews, particularly in the 1820s at the time when the fight for Catholic Emancipation was going on. He used such influence as he could with politicians to achieve similar freedoms - but to no avail.
Baron Lionel de Rothschild, banker and MP
Nathan's son Lionel (1808-1879) was born in London. As a young man he served an apprenticeship in the banking houses of his father and his uncles. Even so, when his father died unexpectedly in 1836, Lionel found himself, at the age of 28, the heir to the most successful London bank of the age and a figure on the international stage.
Lionel was elected to serve as MP for the City of London in 1847. He would not be able to take his seat for another eleven years until the discriminatory legislation against Jews was removed.
You can follow his journey here...
