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The Gunzburgs: A Family of Influence and Enterprise

Benjamin Stone

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The Gunzburgs were a prominent Jewish family from Russia who played a significant role in finance, industry, and philanthropy. Their story is one of ambition, wealth, and tragedy.

The Gunzburgs: A Family Biography

by Lorraine de Meaux

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Language	:	English
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	627 pages

The family's patriarch, Osip Gunzburg, was born in 1809 in the town of Shklov, in present-day Belarus. He began his career as a horse trader, but soon moved into banking. In 1848, he founded the banking house of Gunzburg and Sons, which quickly became one of the leading financial institutions in Russia.

Osip Gunzburg's son, Horace, was born in 1833. He followed in his father's footsteps and became a successful banker. In 1872, he was appointed Minister of Finance of Russia. Horace Gunzburg was a prominent supporter of Jewish causes, and he played a key role in the founding of the Jewish Colonization Association.

Horace Gunzburg's son, Paul, was born in 1868. He was a successful businessman and philanthropist. He founded the Gunzburg Institute for Clinical Medicine, which was one of the leading medical research institutions in Russia. Paul Gunzburg was also a patron of the arts, and he owned a large collection of paintings.

The Gunzburgs were a wealthy and influential family, but they also faced tragedy. In 1905, Horace Gunzburg was assassinated by a right-wing extremist. In 1917, the Bolsheviks came to power in Russia, and the Gunzburgs were forced to flee the country. They lost their wealth and their property, and they were forced to start over in a new land.

The Gunzburgs settled in France, where they continued to be involved in business and philanthropy. They also became active in the Jewish community, and they helped to establish a number of Jewish organizations.

The Gunzburgs were a remarkable family who made significant contributions to finance, industry, and philanthropy. Their story is a testament to the ambition, resilience, and generosity of the Jewish people.

The Gunzburgs in Russia

The Gunzburgs first rose to prominence in Russia in the 19th century. Osip Gunzburg, the family's patriarch, founded the banking house of Gunzburg and Sons in 1848. The bank quickly became one of the leading financial institutions in Russia, and the Gunzburgs became one of the wealthiest families in the country.

The Gunzburgs were also active in philanthropy. They supported Jewish causes, and they played a key role in the founding of the Jewish Colonization Association. They also supported education and medical research, and they founded a number of schools and hospitals.

The Gunzburgs' success and wealth made them a target for anti-Semitism. In 1881, a wave of anti-Jewish pogroms swept across Russia. The Gunzburgs were forced to flee their home in Moscow, and they lost much of their property.

Despite the pogroms, the Gunzburgs continued to play a prominent role in Russian society. Horace Gunzburg was appointed Minister of Finance of Russia in 1872. He was the first Jewish person to hold this position.

The Gunzburgs' influence in Russia declined after the Bolsheviks came to power in 1917. The Bolsheviks nationalized the banks and other businesses, and the Gunzburgs were forced to flee the country.

The Gunzburgs in France

The Gunzburgs settled in France after fleeing Russia in 1917. They continued to be involved in business and philanthropy, and they also became active in the Jewish community.

In France, the Gunzburgs founded a number of businesses, including a bank and a publishing house. They also continued to support Jewish causes, and they helped to establish a number of Jewish organizations.

The Gunzburgs lived in France until the outbreak of World War II. In 1940, they were forced to flee France again as the Nazis invaded the country. The Gunzburgs settled in the United States, where they continued to be involved in business and philanthropy.

The Gunzburgs' Legacy

The Gunzburgs were a remarkable family who made significant contributions to finance, industry, and philanthropy. They were also active in the Jewish community, and they played a key role in the founding of a number of Jewish organizations.

The Gunzburgs' legacy is one of ambition, resilience, and generosity. They were a family who overcame adversity and made a significant contribution to the world.