Herbert Stern, 1st Baron Michelham

The Lord Michelham
Born28 September 1851 (1851-09-28)
Died7 January 1919 (1919-01-08) (aged 67)
Occupations
  • Financier
  • philanthropist
ParentHermann de Stern
Relatives

Herbert Stern, 1st Baron Michelham KCVO (28 September 1851 – 7 January 1919), known as Sir Herbert Stern, Bt, between July and December 1905, was a British financier, philanthropist and a member of the Stern banking family.

Background

Stern was the son of Hermann de Stern, a German-born banker, head of the merchant bank Stern Brothers (London) and Portuguese baron, and Julia Goldsmid.[1] He was the first cousin of Lord Wandsworth and Sir Edward Stern.

Career

On his father's death, in October 1887, Stern inherited the Portuguese barony and a fortune of £2 million, which he substantially increased during his lifetime. He was a prominent philanthropist, contributing to the National Gallery and funding Adrian Jones' quadriga atop Wellington Arch via an anonymous donation of approximately £20,000.[2] During the First World War he acquired Hotel Astoria in Paris to be used as a hospital for British troops.[1] He was also involved in thoroughbred horse racing and is known for having bred Plucky Liege, one of the most important broodmares of the 20th century.[3]

Stern was created a Baronet, of Strawberry Hill in the Parish of Twickenham and County of Middlesex, in July 1905[4] and raised to the peerage as Baron Michelham, of Hellingly in the County of Sussex, in December of the same year.[5]

Lord Michelham was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1912.[6]

Personal life

Lord Michelham died in Paris in January 1919, aged 67, and was succeeded by his son, Herman.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1922). "Michelham, Herbert Stern, 1st Baron" . Encyclopædia Britannica (12th ed.). London & New York: The Encyclopædia Britannica Company.
  2. ^ English Heritage, english-heritage.com. Accessed 26 August 2024
  3. ^ Plucky Liege, tbheritage.com. Accessed 2 January 2023.
  4. ^ "No. 27818". The London Gazette. 18 July 1905. p. 4981.
  5. ^ "No. 27871". The London Gazette. 5 January 1906. p. 107.
  6. ^ "No. 28596". The London Gazette. 5 April 1912. p. 2495.

Sources

Orbell, John. "Stern family (per. c.1830–1964)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/53820. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

Baronetage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baronet
(of Strawberry Hill)
1905–1919
Succeeded by
Herman Alfred Stern
Peerage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baron Michelham
1905–1919
Succeeded by
Herman Alfred Stern