Salomon Heine
Salomon Heine | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Hanover |
| Died | December 23, 1844 (aged 77) |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, banker |
| Known for | Founder of Bankhaus Salomon Heine, benefactor of poet Heinrich Heine |
Salomon Heine (19 October 1767 – 23 December 1844) was a distinguished merchant and banker based in Hamburg. Originating from Hanover, he arrived in Hamburg in 1784 without financial resources but quickly accumulated considerable wealth. Often referred to as the "Rothschild of Hamburg," his fortune was estimated at around €110 million upon his passing. Additionally, he acted as a benefactor and supporter to his nephew, the poet Heinrich Heine.
Life
Heine began his career by receiving banking training at Bankhaus Popert in Hamburg. Subsequently, he established his own draft brokerage, partnering with Emanuel Anton von Halle. In 1797, he joined forces with Marcus Abraham Heckscher to create the merchant bank Heckscher & Co. By 1818, having become the sole managing director, he renamed the institution Bankhaus Salomon Heine, positioning it among Hamburg’s foremost banking establishments.
Supporter of poet Heinrich Heine
Salomon offered his nephew Heinrich initial employment opportunities at Heckscher & Co. and later at Harry Heine & Comp., yet Heinrich’s dedication remained with poetry rather than commerce, which eventually resulted in bankruptcy. Despite his critical remark—"Hätt er gelernt was Rechtes, müsst er nicht schreiben Bücher"—Salomon financed Heinrich’s legal education and provided ongoing financial assistance throughout his life.
Philanthropist in Hamburg
An example of Heine’s charitable efforts includes a notable episode where he motivated fellow merchants to contribute to a hospital’s funding by pledging to cover half the expenses himself. Following the 1842 Great Fire of Hamburg, he utilized personal wealth to aid in rebuilding the city and established the Israelite Hospital of Hamburg as a tribute to his late wife Betty (died 1837). Heinrich Heine honored this institution with his poem "Das neue israelitische Hospital zu Hamburg".
His impact was widely acknowledged at his funeral, which attracted thousands from both Jewish and Christian communities, demonstrating the extensive respect he commanded within Hamburg society.
References
- Gerhard F. Kramer, Erich Lüth, Salomon Heine in seiner Zeit - Gedenkreden zu seinem 200. Geburtstag, Vorträge und Aufsätze, Verein für Hamburgische Geschichte, Hans Christians Verlag, Hamburg, 1968 (German)
- Susanne Wiborg, Salomon Heine: Hamburgs Rothschild - Heinrichs Onkel, Hans Christians Verlag, 1994, ISBN 3-7672-1227-7 (German)