Leopold David de Rothschild

Who was Leopold David de Rothschild?

Leopold David de Rothschild, CBE, FRCM was a British financier, musician, and a member of the Rothschild banking family of England.

Leopold David was the fourth and youngest child and second son of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild and Marie Louise Eugénie Beer. From childhood he had a fondness for music and became an accomplished pianist and violinist. 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 had a long and successful career in banking, his love of music and the arts played an important role in his life. He was an honorary member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, among his many involvements, Leopold de Rothschild served as:

Music Advisory Committee of the British Council — Chairman

English Chamber Orchestra — President

Glyndebourne Arts Trust — Trustee

Jewish Music Institute, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London — Co-President