Benjamin Goldsmid

Benjamin Goldsmid was an English financier and philanthropist born in Holland in 1755, as the son of Aaron Goldsmid, a London merchant. Benjamin and his brother Abraham established themselves in business as bill-brokers in 1777. Brothers raised their capital after the death of an uncle in Holland who bequeathed to them £15,000. Benjamin further contributed to the credit of the firm when he married Jessie, daughter of Israel Levin Salomons of Clapton, with a dowry of £100,000.

Large sums passed through the hands of the Goldsmid brothers in the purchase and sale of bullion, stocks, navy and exchequer bills, and in negotiating English and foreign bills of exchange. They were the largest loan contractors of their day in England. Benjamin's great wealth brought him much social recognition, and was connected with some of the most important people in Britain, and with several members of the royal family.