C M de Rothschild & Figli began operations in Naples in 1821, serving as a critical satellite office for the Rothschild family banking network. Established by Carl Mayer von Rothschild following the Austrian army's occupation of the Kingdom, this firm solidified the family’s dominance in European finance and extended their influence across major continental capitals.
Early Life and Family Training
Born Kalman Mayer Rothschild in 1788 to Mayer Amschel Rothschild and Gutlé Schnapper, Carl was the fourth of five sons. He spent his early years in Frankfurt, receiving training within his father's banking enterprise. He resided in the family home until age twenty-nine, eventually acquiring a property at 33 Neue Mainzer Strasse prior to his 1818 marriage to Adelheid Herz.
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To secure the family's international reach, Carl moved to Naples to oversee the newly created branch. He successfully cultivated relationships with key figures, most notably Luigi de' Medici, the Kingdom’s finance minister. This connection allowed his firm to become the primary banking institution in the region, managing the financial affairs of the Vatican as well as the dukes of Parma and Tuscany.
Titles and Religious Controversy
In 1822, Kaiser Franz I of Austria granted the title of baron, or Freiherr, to Carl and his four brothers. By 1829, he held the position of consul-general of Sicily at Frankfurt. His interactions with the Vatican attracted public scrutiny in 1832, particularly after a ceremony with Pope Gregory XVI where he received the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, sparking controversy over his religious identity.
Final Years and Legacy
Carl divided his time between residences in Frankfurt and Naples, including the Villa Günthersburg and the Villa Pignatelli. Following the deaths of his wife in 1853 and his son Anselm Alexander Carl in 1854, Carl died in 1855. His estate was divided among his children, with Adolf Carl managing the Naples business until its closure in 1861, at which point assets were moved to Frankfurt.
Fast facts
- Born: 1788, Frankfurt
- Died: 1855, Naples
- Profession: Banker
- Spouse: Adelheid Herz
- Title: Baron (Freiherr)
- Key Firm: C M de Rothschild & Figli
- Citizenship: Free City of Frankfurt
- Burial Site: Old Jewish Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Carl Mayer von Rothschild's primary contribution to his family's business?
He established and managed the dominant banking house in Naples, acting as a vital link in the family's European financial network.
Why did his 1832 meeting with the Pope cause controversy?
Because he was a Jewish banker, his receipt of a Catholic order and the reported gesture of kissing the Pope's hand instead of his foot angered some members of the Catholic world.
Achievements
- Worked as banker
