Charles Rothschild

Nathaniel Charles Rothschild
Nathaniel Charles Rothschild
Born	May 9, 1877 (age 149); London, England
Died	October 12, 1923 (aged 46)
Occupation(s)	Banker, entomologist
Years active	Early 20th century
Known for	Compiling the 'Rothschild List' of nature reserves; discovery of Xenopsylla cheopis flea species; contributions to nature conservation

Nathaniel Charles Rothschild (9 May 1877 – 12 October 1923) was a distinguished English banker and entomologist belonging to the notable Rothschild family. He is renowned for compiling the 'Rothschild List' in 1915, which identified 284 locations across Britain deemed appropriate for nature reserve designation.

Family

Charles was born in London to Nathan Rothschild, 1st Baron Rothschild and Emma Rothschild (née von Rothschild) and received his education at Harrow School. Although deeply engaged in scientific pursuits, he remained actively involved in the family banking enterprise, N M Rothschild & Sons, and held the position of Chairman at the Alliance Assurance Company. Within the bank, he introduced advancements in gold refining techniques.

Preceding his elder sibling Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild in death, Charles's passing led to the barony being inherited by his son, Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild, since Walter died without heirs.

Entomology

Following in the footsteps of his zoologist brother Walter, Charles dedicated himself to entomology and natural history. His extensive collection of roughly 260,000 flea specimens is preserved at the Natural History Museum in London, where he described approximately 500 previously unknown species. Among his significant discoveries was the identification and naming of Xenopsylla cheopis, the flea responsible for transmitting bubonic plague. This specimen was gathered during a 1901 expedition to Sudan and formally documented in 1903.

Nature conservation

Acknowledged as a trailblazer in British conservation efforts, Rothschild purchased Wicken Fen near Ely in 1899 at just 22 years old, creating what is considered the UK's inaugural nature reserve. He later transferred Wicken Fen to the National Trust, though they declined ownership of another property he acquired, Woodwalton Fen, in 1910. This latter wetland remains privately managed as a nature reserve and holds status as a National Nature Reserve. In 1911, he constructed a bungalow at Woodwalton Fen to serve as accommodation for field excursions; this building still exists today. Additionally, he enhanced wildlife habitats on his Ashton Wold estate in Northamptonshire, with particular attention to butterfly populations.

Motivated by concerns over habitat destruction, Rothschild established the Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves in 1912, which later evolved into the Wildlife Trusts. He authored 'the Rothschild List', cataloguing 284 vital wildlife sites—some of which were subsequently secured as reserves. Published by the Society in 1915, this list laid foundational principles for contemporary conservation initiatives.

Public service

Rothschild held civic roles including Lieutenant of the City of London and was appointed Justice of the Peace for Northamptonshire in 1902. He also served as High Sheriff of Northamptonshire in 1905.

Personal life

In 1907, Rothschild wed Rózsika Edle von Wertheimstein (1870–1940), a member of an established Austrian-Jewish noble lineage. Born in Nagyvárad (currently Oradea, Romania), she was daughter to Baron Alfred Edler von Wertheimstein, a retired military officer. Rózsika was a former Hungarian lawn tennis champion and one of seven siblings.

The couple resided between Tring and London. While Charles managed responsibilities within the family banking firm, he remained an avid naturalist; their acquaintance began during a butterfly-collecting expedition in the Carpathian Mountains. They had four children:

Miriam Louisa Rothschild (1908–2005), zoologist
Elizabeth Charlotte "Liberty" Rothschild (1909–1988)
Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild (1910–1990), 3rd Baron Rothschild
Kathleen Annie Pannonica "Nica" Rothschild (1913–1988), supporter of bebop jazz

At age 46, Rothschild died by suicide in 1923 after enduring encephalitis—a devastating event for his family. His wife Rózsika died on 30 June 1940.

References

Notes

Sources

Rothschild, Miriam (1983) Dear Lord Rothschild