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{{short description|Baghdad-born businessman and philanthropist}}
⚫ {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2012}}

⚫ {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2012}} {{Use British English|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox person
], 16 August 1879]]
| honorific-prefix =
⚫ '''Sir Albert Abdullah David Sassoon, 1st Baronet''', ], ], (25 July 1818 – 24 October 1896) was a ]n businessman and philanthropist.
⚫ | name = Sir Albert Sassoon
| honorific-suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|Bt||KCB|CSI}}
| image = ]
| image_size =
| caption = 1879 caricature by ] of Albert Sassoon "The Indian Rothschild" from ]
| birth_name = Abdullah David Sassoon
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1818|7|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = ], ]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1896|10|24|1818|7|25|df=y}}
| death_place = ], England
| death_cause =
| nationality = British
| spouse = {{marriage|Hannah Meyer Moise|1838|1895|reason=died}}
| children = 6, including ]
| parents = ] <br/> Hannah Joseph
| relatives = ]
| signature =
| footnotes =
| occupation = Businessman, banker, and philanthropist
⚫ }}
⚫ '''Sir Albert Abdullah David Sassoon, 1st Baronet''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|KCB|CSI}} (25 July 1818{{snd}}24 October 1896) was a Baghdad-born businessman and philanthropist.


==Biography== ==Biography==
===Early life===
⚫ Sir Albert was born on 25 July 1818 in ]. He was a member of the ]. His father, ] (1792–1864), was a leading Baghdad merchant and a treasurer under ], the Governor of Baghdad. However, he fled after he was implicated in a corruption scandal, moving from Baghdad to ], in ] and settled in ] in 1832, where he founded a large banking and mercantile business. David Sassoon's business acumen soon made him one of the richest men in Bombay.{{citation needed|date=March 2010}}


===Life and career===
Albert Sassoon was educated in ].
Sassoon was born on 25 July 1818 in ], ], into the ] of ]s. His father was ] (1792–1864). He was educated in ]. After his father's death, he served as head of his family's merchant company 'David Sassoon & Sons' (later ']').<ref name="EB1911"/> Sassoon's ancestry family tree goes back to ] town in ]


In 1874, under Albert Sassoon's leadership, David Sassoon & Sons established in ] (now Mumbai) a new subsidiary, the 'Sassoon Spinning and Weaving Company', which opened several ]s there.<ref>Vijay K. Seth: "Ascent and Decline of native and colonial Trading - Tale of Four Indian Cities", SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd., New Delhi 2019, p. 50, {{ISBN|978-93-532-8085-7}}</ref> In 1875 the company built the ], the first ]s in Bombay.<ref>Joan G. Roland: "The Jewish Communities of India - Identity in Colonial Era", Transaction Publishers, London/ New York 1998, p. 18, {{ISBN|978-0-7658-0439-6}}</ref> The company was also instrumental in the founding of the ] in 1889.<ref>Between Foreigner and Shi'is, Daniel Tsadik, p. 112, 2007, Stanford University Press,</ref>
⚫ ===Career===
After his father's death, he served as Head of the firm on his father's death.


After a visit to England in 1873, Albert Sassoon settled there permanently in 1875 to direct 'David Sassoon & Sons' from London. The management of the company's affairs in Bombay was left to his younger brother ] (1841–1894).<ref name="Joan G. Roland 1998, p.19">Joan G. Roland: "The Jewish Communities of India - Identity in Colonial Era", Transaction Publishers, London/ New York 1998, p. 19, {{ISBN|978-0-7658-0439-6}}</ref>
⚫ ===Philanthropy===
] in ]]]
He was a major benefactor to the city of Bombay; among his gifts were the ] completed in 1875, and a handsome proportion of the cost of ].
⚫ Albert Sassoon died in ] in 1896, aged 78, and was buried there in the ], which he had built. In 1933 his body was removed and reburied in the ] in London.<ref>Sharman Kadish, ''Jewish Heritage in England: an Architectural Guide'' (English Heritage, 2006, pp. 77-78)</ref><ref>Peter Stansky: "Sassoon: the worlds of Philip and Sybil", Yale University Press, 2003, p. 16</ref> A ] was also built for him in the ].<ref name=BbM>Prashant Kidambi, Manjiri Kamat, Rachel Dwyer, eds. ''Bombay Before Mumbai: Essays in Honour of Jim Masselos'' (Oxford University Press, 15 August 2019), </ref>


⚫ ===Philanthropy and honours===
In 1867 Sasoon was made a Companion of the ] (CSI) and in 1872 a Knight Companion of the ] (KCB). In 1873 he visited ] and received the freedom of the city of ]. Shortly afterwards he settled in ], and was created ] Sassoon in 1890.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=26019|date=31 January 1890|startpage=545|supp=|accessdate=2008-12-28}}</ref>
He was a major benefactor to the city of Bombay. Among his gifts was a significant contribution towards the reconstruction of the ]<ref name="EB1911"/> and the erection of a large equestrian statue of the ], ], commemorating his visit to India in 1875. He also financed many scholarships and became a close adviser to the government on educational and building projects.<ref name="Joan G. Roland 1998, p.19"/>


Albert Sassoon donated ] 60,000, while the Government of ] bore the remainder of the cost of Rs. 65,000, for the construction of the ] on Rampart Row, ] in Bombay. Its construction was completed in 1870, and like many buildings in the vicinity such as Elphinstone College, Army and Navy Buildings and Watson's Hotel, it was built using yellow Malad stone.
===Death===

⚫ He died in ] in 1896, aged 78. He built and was buried in the ]; in 1933 his body was removed and reburied in the ] in London.<ref>Sharman Kadish, ''Jewish Heritage in England: an Architectural Guide'' (English Heritage, 2006, pp. 77-78</ref><ref>Sassoon: the worlds of Philip and Sybil, Peter Stansky, Yale University Press, 2003, p. 16</ref>
The Victoria and Albert Museum, Bombay (now ]) was built with the patronage of many wealthy Indian businessmen and philanthropists including Albert Sassoon, Sir ] and ].

In 1866 Sassoon was made a Companion of the ] (CSI), and in 1872 a Knight Companion of the ] (KCB).<ref name="EB1911"/> Around the same time he received the ] from the ] for "work in Persia and his services in the development of Persian commerce".<ref>Between Foreigner and Shi'is, Daniel Tsadik, page 112, 2007, Stanford University Press.</ref> During his visit to England in 1873 he received the ].<ref name="EB1911"/> After Sassoon had settled in England, a ]cy was created for him in 1890.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26019|date=31 January 1890|page=545}}</ref>

⚫ ===Family===
Albert Sassoon married Hannah Meyer Moise (1823–1895) in 1838. They had six children. The eldest son was ] (1856–1912), the father of ] (1888–1939) and ] (1894–1989). His daughter Aziza Sassoon (1839–1897) married Ezekiel Abraham Gubbay (1824–1896) and was the mother of ].

⚫ Albert Sassoon's father, ] (1792–1864), was a leading Baghdad merchant and a treasurer under ], the ]. However, he fled after he was implicated in a corruption scandal, moving from Baghdad to ] in Persia, and settled in Bombay in 1832, where he founded a large mercantile business, called "David Sassoon & Sons".<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Sassoon, Sir Albert Abdullah David|volume=24|page=227}}</ref>

Albert Sassoon's great-great-great-grandson is the actor ].


==References== ==References==
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{{DNB poster|Sassoon, Albert Abdullah David}} {{DNB poster|Sassoon, Albert Abdullah David}}
{{Commons category|Albert Abdullah David Sassoon}} {{Commons category|Albert Abdullah David Sassoon}}
* * in the '']'' by ], ], J. Hyams


{{s-start}} {{s-start}}
{{s-reg|uk-bt}} {{s-reg|uk-bt}}
{{s-new|creation}}
{{succession box|title=]<br />'''(of Kensington Gore)|years='''1890 &ndash; 1896|before=New creation|after=]}} {{s-ttl|title=]<br />'''(of Kensington Gore)'''|years=1890–1896}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
{{s-end}} {{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}


*{{1911}}

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
⚫ | NAME = Sassoon, Albert
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British-Indian businessman
| DATE OF BIRTH = 25 July 1818
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 24 October 1896
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫ }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sassoon, Albert}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Sassoon, Albert}}
] ]
] ]
]
]
] ]
] ]
⚫ ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
⚫ ]
]
]
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Latest revision as of 17:54, 26 August 2024

Baghdad-born businessman and philanthropist

Sir Albert SassoonBt KCB CSI
1879 caricature by "Spy" of Albert Sassoon "The Indian Rothschild" from Vanity Fair
BornAbdullah David Sassoon
(1818-07-25)25 July 1818
Baghdad, Ottoman Iraq
Died24 October 1896(1896-10-24) (aged 78)
Brighton, England
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Businessman, banker, and philanthropist
Spouse Hannah Meyer Moise ​ ​(m. 1838; died 1895)​
Children6, including Edward
Parent(s)David Sassoon
Hannah Joseph
RelativesSassoon family

Sir Albert Abdullah David Sassoon, 1st Baronet, KCB, CSI (25 July 1818 – 24 October 1896) was a Baghdad-born businessman and philanthropist.

Biography

Life and career

Sassoon was born on 25 July 1818 in Baghdad, Ottoman Empire, into the Sassoon family of Baghdadi Jews. His father was David Sassoon (1792–1864). He was educated in British India. After his father's death, he served as head of his family's merchant company 'David Sassoon & Sons' (later 'David Sassoon & Co.'). Sassoon's ancestry family tree goes back to Sason town in Southeastern Anatolia Region

In 1874, under Albert Sassoon's leadership, David Sassoon & Sons established in Bombay (now Mumbai) a new subsidiary, the 'Sassoon Spinning and Weaving Company', which opened several cotton mills there. In 1875 the company built the Sassoon Docks, the first wet docks in Bombay. The company was also instrumental in the founding of the Imperial Bank of Persia in 1889.

After a visit to England in 1873, Albert Sassoon settled there permanently in 1875 to direct 'David Sassoon & Sons' from London. The management of the company's affairs in Bombay was left to his younger brother Solomon David Sassoon (1841–1894).

The Sassoon Mausoleum in Kemptown, Brighton

Albert Sassoon died in Brighton in 1896, aged 78, and was buried there in the Sassoon Mausoleum, which he had built. In 1933 his body was removed and reburied in the Liberal Jewish Cemetery, Willesden in London. A mausoleum was also built for him in the Jewish Cemetery, Chinchpokli.

Philanthropy and honours

He was a major benefactor to the city of Bombay. Among his gifts was a significant contribution towards the reconstruction of the Elphinstone High School and the erection of a large equestrian statue of the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, commemorating his visit to India in 1875. He also financed many scholarships and became a close adviser to the government on educational and building projects.

Albert Sassoon donated Rs. 60,000, while the Government of Bombay Presidency bore the remainder of the cost of Rs. 65,000, for the construction of the David Sassoon Library and Reading Room on Rampart Row, Kala Ghoda in Bombay. Its construction was completed in 1870, and like many buildings in the vicinity such as Elphinstone College, Army and Navy Buildings and Watson's Hotel, it was built using yellow Malad stone.

The Victoria and Albert Museum, Bombay (now Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum) was built with the patronage of many wealthy Indian businessmen and philanthropists including Albert Sassoon, Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and Jaganath Shunkerseth.

In 1866 Sassoon was made a Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI), and in 1872 a Knight Companion of the Order of the Bath (KCB). Around the same time he received the Order of the Lion and the Sun from the Shah of Persia for "work in Persia and his services in the development of Persian commerce". During his visit to England in 1873 he received the freedom of the City of London. After Sassoon had settled in England, a baronetcy was created for him in 1890.

Family

Albert Sassoon married Hannah Meyer Moise (1823–1895) in 1838. They had six children. The eldest son was Edward Sassoon (1856–1912), the father of Philip Sassoon (1888–1939) and Sybil Cholmondeley, Marchioness of Cholmondeley (1894–1989). His daughter Aziza Sassoon (1839–1897) married Ezekiel Abraham Gubbay (1824–1896) and was the mother of Flora Sassoon.

Albert Sassoon's father, David Sassoon (1792–1864), was a leading Baghdad merchant and a treasurer under Ahmet Pasha, the Governor of Baghdad. However, he fled after he was implicated in a corruption scandal, moving from Baghdad to Bushire in Persia, and settled in Bombay in 1832, where he founded a large mercantile business, called "David Sassoon & Sons".

Albert Sassoon's great-great-great-grandson is the actor Jack Huston.

References

  1. ^  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Sassoon, Sir Albert Abdullah David". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 24 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 227.
  2. Vijay K. Seth: "Ascent and Decline of native and colonial Trading - Tale of Four Indian Cities", SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd., New Delhi 2019, p. 50, ISBN 978-93-532-8085-7
  3. Joan G. Roland: "The Jewish Communities of India - Identity in Colonial Era", Transaction Publishers, London/ New York 1998, p. 18, ISBN 978-0-7658-0439-6
  4. Between Foreigner and Shi'is, Daniel Tsadik, p. 112, 2007, Stanford University Press,
  5. ^ Joan G. Roland: "The Jewish Communities of India - Identity in Colonial Era", Transaction Publishers, London/ New York 1998, p. 19, ISBN 978-0-7658-0439-6
  6. Sharman Kadish, Jewish Heritage in England: an Architectural Guide (English Heritage, 2006, pp. 77-78)
  7. Peter Stansky: "Sassoon: the worlds of Philip and Sybil", Yale University Press, 2003, p. 16
  8. Prashant Kidambi, Manjiri Kamat, Rachel Dwyer, eds. Bombay Before Mumbai: Essays in Honour of Jim Masselos (Oxford University Press, 15 August 2019), p. 11
  9. Between Foreigner and Shi'is, Daniel Tsadik, page 112, 2007, Stanford University Press.
  10. "No. 26019". The London Gazette. 31 January 1890. p. 545.

External links

Baronetage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baronet
(of Kensington Gore)
1890–1896 		Succeeded byEdward Sassoon
Categories: