Leopold David de Rothschild
Encyclopedia
Leopold David de Rothschild, CBE
, FRCM
(born 12 May 1927) is a British
financier
, musician
, and a member of the Rothschild banking family of England
.
Leopold David is the fourth and youngest child and second son of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild
(1882–1942) and Marie Louise Eugénie Beer (1892–1975). From childhood he had a fondness for music and became an accomplished pianist
and violin
ist. As a vocalist, he sang with The Bach Choir
of London for many years and would later serve as its President. While in his teens, he joined the Royal Navy
, serving for two years. He went to work at Kuhn, Loeb & Co.
, as well as at Morgan Stanley
and Glyn, Mills & Co.
before becoming a partner at his family's N M Rothschild & Sons
in 1956.
While he has had a long and successful career in banking, his love of music and the arts played an important role in his life. An honorary member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, among his many involvements, Leopold de Rothschild has served as:
Among his philanthropic
works, through his "Leopold de Rothschild Charitable Trust" he contributes to numerous charities including the St John's Hospice for the terminally ill. In addition, his Charitable Trust provides support to the London Symphony Orchestra
, the London Sinfonietta
, the Rambert Dance Company, and provides scholarships for students to study at the Royal College of Music
of which he is a Fellow (FRCM) and past Council Chairman.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, FRCM
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
(born 12 May 1927) is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
financier
Financier
Financier is a term for a person who handles typically large sums of money, usually involving money lending, financing projects, large-scale investing, or large-scale money management. The term is French, and derives from finance or payment...
, musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, and a member of the Rothschild banking family of England
Rothschild banking family of England
The Rothschild banking family of England was founded in 1798 by Nathan Mayer von Rothschild who first settled in Manchester but then moved to London. Nathan was sent there from his home in Frankfurt by his father, Mayer Amschel Rothschild...
.
Leopold David is the fourth and youngest child and second son of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild
Lionel Nathan de Rothschild
Lionel Nathan de Rothschild was an English banker and Conservative politician best remembered as the creator of Exbury Gardens...
(1882–1942) and Marie Louise Eugénie Beer (1892–1975). From childhood he had a fondness for music and became an accomplished pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist. As a vocalist, he sang with The Bach Choir
The Bach Choir
The Bach Choir is a large chorus, based in London, England. It has around 220 active members. The choir's musical director is David Hill and previous musical directors have included Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Reginald Jacques and Sir David Willcocks.The Bach Choir is an...
of London for many years and would later serve as its President. While in his teens, he joined the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, serving for two years. He went to work at Kuhn, Loeb & Co.
Kuhn, Loeb & Co.
Kuhn, Loeb & Co. was a bulge bracket, investment bank founded in 1867 by Abraham Kuhn and Solomon Loeb. Under the leadership of Jacob H. Schiff, it grew to be one of the most influential investment banks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, financing America's expanding railways and growth...
, as well as at Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm headquartered in New York City serving a diversified group of corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals. Morgan Stanley also operates in 36 countries around the world, with over 600 offices and a workforce of over 60,000....
and Glyn, Mills & Co.
Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
before becoming a partner at his family's N M Rothschild & Sons
N M Rothschild & Sons
N M Rothschild & Sons is a private investment banking company, belonging to the Rothschild family...
in 1956.
While he has had a long and successful career in banking, his love of music and the arts played an important role in his life. An honorary member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, among his many involvements, Leopold de Rothschild has served as:
- Music Advisory Committee of the British CouncilBritish CouncilThe British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
- Chairman - English Chamber OrchestraEnglish Chamber OrchestraThe English Chamber Orchestra is a British chamber orchestra based in London. The full orchestra regularly plays concerts at Cadogan Hall, and the ECO Ensemble performs at Wigmore Hall...
- President - Glyndebourne Arts Trust - Trustee
- Jewish Music Institute, SOASSchool of Oriental and African StudiesThe School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
, University of LondonUniversity of London-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
- Co-President - Royal College of MusicRoyal College of MusicThe Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
- Council Chairman and Independent adviser - Voices Foundation - founding member, and a member of the Consultative Council
- Countess of Munster Musical Trust - Chairman
- Trustee of the National Museum of Science and Industry [Science Museum], London and the National Railway Museum, York
- Tring Park School for the Performing Arts - President
Among his philanthropic
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
works, through his "Leopold de Rothschild Charitable Trust" he contributes to numerous charities including the St John's Hospice for the terminally ill. In addition, his Charitable Trust provides support to the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
, the London Sinfonietta
London Sinfonietta
The London Sinfonietta is an English chamber orchestra founded in 1968 and based in London. The ensemble specialises in contemporary music and works across a wide range of genres, performing modern classics alongside world premieres, and includes music by electronica artists as well as folk and...
, the Rambert Dance Company, and provides scholarships for students to study at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
of which he is a Fellow (FRCM) and past Council Chairman.