Mayer Carl von Rothschild

Mayer Carl von Rothschild
Born	Frankfurt, Germany
Died	October 16, 1886(1886-10-16) (aged 66)
Occupation(s)	Financier, politician
Known for	Member of the Rothschild family, first Jewish member of the House of Lords of Prussia

Mayer Carl Freiherr von Rothschild (5 August 1820 – 16 October 1886) was a prominent German Jewish financier and political figure, recognized as an influential member of the Rothschild family.

Early life

Mayer Carl was born in Frankfurt to Adelheid (née Herz) and Carl Mayer von Rothschild. His siblings included Charlotte (who married Lionel de Rothschild), Adolphe Carl, Wilhelm Carl (1828–1901), and Anselm Alexander Carl, who passed away in childhood. He pursued legal studies at the University of Göttingen and later at the University of Berlin.

Career

Upon finishing his education, Mayer Carl entered the family banking enterprise, M. A. Rothschild & Söhne, located in Frankfurt. After the demise of their uncle Amschel Mayer Rothschild, he and his brother Wilhelm Carl assumed leadership of the firm.

In 1854, the banking house earned the prestigious title of Banker to the Court of Prussia. Mayer Carl held several diplomatic appointments including Consul for Bavaria, Austrian Consul-General, and consul for the Duchy of Parma based in Frankfurt. During the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, he was part of a Frankfurt delegation sent to Berlin to negotiate war contributions. His political roles extended to serving as a deputy in the North German Diet, membership in the German Reichstag, and participation in Frankfurt’s city parliament.

Significantly, he became the first Jewish individual to join the House of Lords of Prussia in 1871.

Personal life

On 6 April 1842, Mayer Carl wed his cousin at the London synagogue located in Duke's Place. Together they had seven daughters:

1. (1843–1922), who married Salomon James de Rothschild in 1862.
2. Emma Louise von Rothschild (1844–1935), wed Nathan Mayer Rothschild in 1867.
3. Clementine Henriette von Rothschild (1845–1865)
4. Thérèse von Rothschild (1847–1931), married James Edouard de Rothschild in 1871.
5. (1850–1892)
6. (1855–1905), who married in 1878.
7. Bertha Clara von Rothschild (1862–1903), married Louis Philippe Marie Alexandre Berthier, 3rd Prince of Wagram in 1882.

Mayer Carl von Rothschild passed away on 16 October 1886.