Daniel Itzig

Banker
Daniel Itzig was a German banker, entrepreneur, and leader of the Berlin Jewish community. He began his career as purveyor of silver to the royal mint, and reached its peak in this activity during the Seven Years’ War (1756–63) when he and his partner V.H. Ephraim were appointed mint-masters by Frederick the Great of Prussia (r. 1740 – 1786). After the Seven Years’ War, Itzig invested his money in manufacturing leather and iron goods, built himself a palace, and established a bank. In 1797 Frederick William II of Prussia (r. 1786 – 1797) appointed him “Hofbankier” (court-banker) and inspector of road construction.

Itzig was appointed chief representative of Prussian Jewry by Frederick II in 1764, a position he held until his death, and in 1787 was head of the commission which prepared suggestions for the improvement of the status of Prussian Jewry.