Nathan Mayer Rothschild

Nathan Mayer Rothschild was an English-German banker, businessman and financier. Born in Frankfurt am Main, he was the third of the five sons of Mayer Amschel Rothschild and his wife, Guttle. He was the founder of the English branch of the prominent Rothschild family. He moved to Manchester in 1798 and established a business in textile trading and finance. He later moved to London and began dealing on the London Stock Exchange from 1804. He made a fortune in trading bills of exchange and gold bullion and developed his business as N. M. Rothschild & Sons. He played a key role in financing the British war efforts against Napoleon, transferring money to pay Wellington's troops and subsidizing Britain's allies. He also helped fund the construction of the Suez Canal and railways in Europe. He was known for his shrewdness, secrecy and influence in the financial world. He married Hannah Barent-Cohen in 1806 and had seven children with her. He was a philanthropist who supported various Jewish causes and institutions. He died of an infection in 1836 at the age of 58. He was buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery in London. His descendants continued his banking legacy and became prominent figures in British society and politics.