Solomon Joel

Solomon Barnato Joel
Born	Template:Birth date London, England
Died	May 22, 1931(1931-05-22) (aged 65)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, mining magnate, racehorse owner and breeder, philanthropist
Known for	Diamond and gold mining, brewing, railway ventures, thoroughbred horse racing

Solomon Barnato Joel (23 May 1865 – 22 May 1931) was a British-South African entrepreneur who amassed his wealth initially in the diamond industry and later diversified into mining, brewing, and railway ventures after relocating to the Cape Colony during the 1880s.

Career

Referred to familiarly as "Solly," he was born in London into a Jewish household, one of three sons of Joel Joel and Kate Isaacs, the latter being the sister of Barnett Isaacs, known as Barney Barnato. Under the guidance of Barney Barnato, Solly and his brothers Jack and Woolf accumulated considerable riches through the Barnato Diamond Mining Company. Within ten years, he had become a millionaire by purchasing mines that were considered exhausted. Following the death of Barney Barnato in 1897, Joel took charge of the family enterprise, Barnato Brothers. Although his early focus was on diamonds, he later transitioned to gold mining in South Africa, establishing ventures such as Van Ryn Deep Mine in 1902, Government Gold Mining Areas (Modderfontein) Consolidated Limited in 1910, and New State Areas Ltd. in 1918. He also acquired control over Langlaagte Estate and Gold Mining Company as well as Randfontein Estates Gold Mining Company from J. B. Robinson and held a directorship within the Diamond Syndicate.

Politics

At the outset of his career, Joel supported the Uitlander cause opposing Paul Kruger's administration and participated actively in the Reform Committee. His involvement in the Jameson Raid led to a conviction for high treason, after which he withdrew from political engagement.

Family

Joel was married to actress Ellen "Nellie" Ridley. Despite his commercial achievements, his family relationships experienced tension; he initially opposed his daughter Doris's marriage until after their separation and disapproved of his son Stanhope’s marriage for a two-year period. His daughter Eileen became notable as the first female jockey to win an open race at Newmarket. His son Dudley Joel served as Conservative Member of Parliament for Dudley before losing his life during World War II.

In 1898, Joel's brother Woolf was fatally attacked in Johannesburg, an act likely committed by con artist Karl Frederic Moritz Kurtze (also known as Ludwig von Veltheim). Although evidence connected Veltheim to threats against Woolf Joel, an all-Boer jury acquitted him amid prevailing anti-British and anti-Semitic attitudes. Veltheim later appeared in London making extortion attempts against Solomon Joel himself; this time he was found guilty and sentenced to twenty years imprisonment.

Joel’s business portfolio extended beyond mining to include brewing, theatre ownership—most notably Drury Lane Theatre—and railways such as the City and South London Railway. He was also recognized for his philanthropic efforts, donating the first motorized ambulance to Royal Berkshire Hospital and presenting Sol Joel Park to Reading Corporation in 1927, with its inauguration conducted by the Duke of York (later King George VI).

Thoroughbred horse racing

Joel gained considerable prominence in thoroughbred horse racing and breeding circles. He owned Polymelus, a five-time leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland who fathered Pommern, winner of the 1915 English Triple Crown. He founded a stud farm at New Farm—subsequently renamed Home Stud Farm—located near his residence. The Joel Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse commemorates his legacy.

In 1903, Joel purchased the Maiden Erlegh Estate near Reading, Berkshire. Later, in 1922, he acquired Moulton Paddocks racing establishment at Newmarket following the passing of its previous owner Sir Ernest Cassel.

He maintained a longstanding rivalry with his brother Jack Barnato Joel as racehorse owners; Jack achieved greater acclaim with two Epsom Derby winners: Sunstar and Humorist.

Cricket

In the 1924–25 cricket season in South Africa, Joel assembled a team predominantly composed of English cricketers, known as S. B. Joel's XI. This lineup included notable players such as Ewart Astill, George Geary, Percy Holmes, and Lionel Tennyson. They competed against various provincial squads as well as the national side.

Death and legacy

Joel passed away in 1931 at Moulton Paddocks. Following his death, his assets and belongings were sold at auction. The Home Stud Farm was disposed of in 1932 but continued operations until the 1980s. Ownership of Moulton Paddocks was transferred to his son Dudley; however, the property fell into decline after Dudley's passing.

See also

• Joel family
• Gustav Imroth

Sources

• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
• Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa vol. 6 (Nasou, Cape Town 1972)
• Ace of diamonds: The story of Solomon Barnato Joel as told to Lloyd Mayer Stanhope Joel (Frederick Muller Ltd., London 1958)
• The Diamond Magnates Brian Roberts (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1972)

External links

• Thoroughbred racehorse Polymelus
• Oxford DNB