James Mayer de Rothschild facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Mayer
Portrait by Jean-Hippolyte Flandrin
Born	Jakob Mayer Rothschild (1792-05-15)15 May 1792 Frankfurt, Holy Roman Empire
Died	15 November 1868(1868-11-15) (aged 76) Paris, France
Known for	Rothschild banking family of France Château Lafite Rothschild
Spouse(s)	Betty Salomon von Rothschild ​ (m. 1824)​
Children	Charlotte, Mayer Alphonse, Gustave Samuel, Salomon James, Edmond Benjamin
Parent(s)	Mayer Amschel Rothschild Guttle Schnapper
Awards	Légion d'honneur Baron of the Austrian Empire

Baron James Mayer de Rothschild (born Jakob Mayer Rothschild; 15 May 1792 – 15 November 1868) was a very important banker. He was from Germany and later lived in France. He started the French part of the famous Rothschild family banking business.

Early Life

James de Rothschild was born in Frankfurt, which was then part of the Holy Roman Empire. He was the fifth son and the youngest child in his family. His parents were Mayer Amschel Rothschild and Guttle Schnapper.

Building a Banking Empire

In 1812, James moved to Paris. His job was to help his brother, Nathan Mayer Rothschild, buy gold and silver. This was important for their family's banking work. In 1814 and 1815, he played a key role. He helped Nathan provide money to Wellington's armies during the Napoleonic Wars.

In 1817, James opened his own bank in Paris, called De Rothschild Frères. By 1823, his bank was very strong. It became the main banker for the French government.

Helping France Grow

James became a trusted advisor to ministers and kings. He was the most powerful banker in France. After the Napoleonic Wars, he helped pay for many big projects. These included building railroads and developing mines. This work helped France become a strong industrial country.

He also made more money by investing in other areas. For example, he invested in importing tea and in the wine business. James was a very determined and smart businessman. He built a huge fortune, becoming one of the richest people in the world.

Awards and Recognition

In 1822, James and his four brothers received a special honor. Emperor Francis I of Austria gave them the title of "Freiherr" (Baron). This was a noble title that could be passed down in their family. In the same year, James became the consul-general for the Austrian Empire. In 1823, France also honored him with the Legion of Honour.

After the July Revolution in 1830, King Louis Philippe I came to power. James helped the new government by arranging a large loan. This loan helped to make the country's finances stable. He provided a second loan in 1834. King Louis Philippe was very grateful. He gave James an even higher rank in the Legion of Honour.

Facing Challenges

In 1848, King Louis Philippe had to leave power. This happened after the French Revolution of 1848. Under the new leader, Emperor Napoléon III, James lost some of his political influence. However, his family's business continued to do well.

From 1852, he also had to defend his bank from a rival company called Crédit Mobilier. This business fight spread to other countries. But James managed to keep his bank in the leading position.

Investing in Wine

In 1868, James de Rothschild bought Château Lafite. This was one of France's most famous vineyards. It is located in the Bordeaux region. This wine business is still owned by his family today.

Family Life

On 11 July 1824, James married his niece, Betty von Rothschild, in Frankfurt. She was the daughter of his older brother, Salomon Mayer von Rothschild. They had five children together:

• Charlotte de Rothschild (1825–1899)
• Mayer Alphonse de Rothschild (1827–1905)
• Gustave Samuel de Rothschild (1829–1911)
• Salomon James de Rothschild (1835–1864)
• Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild (1845–1934)

Supporting the Arts

James and his wife, Betty, were very important in Parisian culture. They hosted many fancy parties. Their chef was a famous cook named Antonin Carême. They also supported many famous artists and musicians. These included Gioachino Rossini, Frédéric Chopin, Honoré de Balzac, Eugène Delacroix, and Heinrich Heine.

In 1847, Chopin dedicated his famous Valse Op. 64, N° 2 to their daughter Charlotte. This was to thank James and Betty for their support. In 1848, the artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres painted a portrait of Betty de Rothschild.

His Character

After his brother Nathan died in 1836, James took charge of the family business. His sons, brothers, and nephews respected his strong leadership. People remembered his quick wit and his German accent. He was very dedicated to his large family. However, he could be strict if he felt someone acted wrongly. He always made sure his family followed their Jewish beliefs.

Grand Homes

In 1817, James bought Château Rothschild in Boulogne-Billancourt. His children were born and grew up there. In 1838, he bought a large house in Paris. It was located at 2 rue Saint-Florentin, near the Place de la Concorde. This house stayed in the family until 1950. Then, it was sold to the United States government. Today, it is part of the American Embassy.

In 1854, James asked the famous architect Joseph Paxton to build a new home. This was the Château de Ferrières in Ferrières-en-Brie, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) east of Paris. The château opened with a big party on 16 December 1862. Emperor Napoleon III was one of the guests. This property stayed with his male descendants until 1975. Then, Guy de Rothschild gave it to the University of Paris. It is considered one of the biggest and most luxurious castles built in France in the 1800s.

Art Lover

Besides his business, James de Rothschild loved collecting art. He wanted to show that he had as good taste and as many possessions as the French nobles. But he also had a true interest in art. In 1818, he bought a painting called La Laitière by Greuze. This was the start of his amazing art collection. He often bought more art during big sales in Paris.

Horse Racing Passion

In 1835, Baron James de Rothschild started horse racing stables. These were at his Ferrières estate. The Rothschild stables are still around today, but they are now in Normandy. They are one of the oldest racing stables in France. Ferrières was a great spot for them. It was close to both Paris and Chantilly, which was the center of horse racing in France.

At first, most of James's horses raced under his trainer's colors. These were an amber vest, lilac sleeves, and a grey cap. Soon, this changed to the famous blue vest and yellow cap. Different members of the Rothschild family still use variations of these colors today. The stables were successful during James's lifetime. They won the Grand Prix Royal in 1844 with a horse named Drummer. In 1846, Médon won the Prix du Jockey Club.

Giving Back

James de Rothschild also used his huge wealth to help others. This is called philanthropy. He became a leader in the French Jewish community. He and his children helped France in many ways. This included supporting medicine and the arts. He was involved in many charities. He helped create places to treat tuberculosis. He also supported the first social housing in Paris. He gave aid to public hospitals.

His Legacy

Baron James de Rothschild died in 1868. This was just three months after he bought the Chateau Lafite vineyard. At his funeral, 4,000 guests waited inside his home. Another 6,000 guests waited in the courtyard. The streets of Paris, from the Rue Laffitte to Père Lachaise Cemetery, were filled with thousands of citizens. They came to honor the great banker.

James had stayed active in business his whole life. He kept expanding his railways, industries, factories, shipping, and mining interests. He was so successful that by the time he died, the wealth of his Paris bank might have been even greater than that of his other famous family members. His sons, Alphonse and Gustave, took over his vast French business empire. Their industrial interests reached as far as Africa and the South Sea Islands.

See also

In Spanish: James Mayer de Rothschild para niños

• Great Synagogue (Petah Tikva)