Eugen Landau
Eugen Landau | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Breslau, Prussia |
| Died | February 20, 1935 (aged 82) Berlin, Germany |
| Occupation(s) | Financier, benefactor |
| Known for | Banking, industrial ventures, Jewish charitable activities |
Eugen Landau (March 17, 1852 – February 20, 1935) was a prominent German Jewish financier and benefactor.
Life
Landau was born in Breslau, Prussia, as the son of Jacob Landau, who owned one of the largest banking institutions in Germany during the late 1800s. He pursued studies in law and economics at the University of Berlin and the University of Bern before joining his father’s banking enterprise. In 1879, he established a railway company in Silesia and contributed to the formation of significant industrial ventures including the mining firm Königs- und Laurahütte, Germany’s largest brewery Schultheiss-Patzenhofer Brauerei, and the electrical company AEG, managed by Emil and Walther Rathenau.
As a partner in his family’s bank, Landau developed strong connections with Berlin’s municipal authorities, positioning the bank as a principal facilitator of city loans that supported urban expansion. He was instrumental in creating the National Bank fuer Deutschland and orchestrated its integration with Breslau Disconto-Bank and Bayerische Bank. Throughout World War I, Landau served as a major in Germany's Landwehr, holding the distinction of being the highest-ranking Jewish officer who had not converted at that time. Moreover, he acted as honorary consul-general in Berlin, fostering diplomatic ties between Germany and Spain.
Landau was deeply engaged in Jewish charitable activities, providing financial support to institutions like Baruch Auerbach'sches Waisenhaus orphanage and backing organizations such as the German Pro-Palästina Committee and Keren Hayesod, which he helped establish. Together with Dr. Paul Nathan and James Simon, he founded the Hilfsverein der Deutschen Juden, serving initially as its president before shifting focus to his commercial pursuits; he continued as vice-president thereafter.
In recognition of his services, Emperor Wilhelm II conferred upon Landau the Order of the Crown, Third Class, in 1899. On reaching eighty years of age, he was awarded the Gold Medal by the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce for his impactful contributions to German industrial and commercial sectors. His family included his wife—daughter of City Councillor Magnus—and his stepsons Dr. Walter Sobernheim, Dr. Kurt Sobernheim, and Professor Dr. Moritz Sobernheim, all actively involved in Jewish communal affairs.
Eugen Landau passed away in Berlin on February 20, 1935, and was interred at the Jewish cemetery located on Schönhauser Allee.