The founder of the celebrated banking business, born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, a Jew by birth; began his career as a money-lender and made a large fortune (1743-1812); left five sons, who were all made barons of the Austrian empire—
ldest, head of the house at Frankfort (1773-1855);
he second, head of the Vienna house (1774-1855);
he third, head of the London house (1777-1836);
he fourth, head of the house at Naples (1755-1855); and
he fifth, head of the Paris house (1792-1868).