Bethmann
Germany- German Banking Dynasty
- Bethmanns - German Banking Dynasty
- The Origins of the Bethmanns in Goslar
- Centuries of Prosperity
German Banking Dynasty
It is interesting that the powerful trading and banking dynasty of the Bethmanns has not only preserved its name in the title of their bank, the luxurious Frankfurt Park, and several streets named after them, but also in the name of a traditional Christmas pastry. The Bethmannhen is made from marzipan with the addition of almonds, sugar, and rose water, and its recipe is based on the traditional gingerbread recipe from Frankfurt. The pastry was invented in 1838 by the famous Parisian confectioner Jean Jacques Gautenier, who was the head chef in the house of Simon Moritz von Bethmann for some time. According to legend, the four halves of almond that adorned the pastry symbolized the four sons of the von Bethmanns, and after the death of his son Heinrich in 1845, only three halves of almond remained. However, this whole story could have been a fabrication, as Simon Moritz himself died in 1826.
Bethmanns - German Banking Dynasty
The Bethmanns are a German banking dynasty whose history can be traced back several centuries. This family has given the world a whole constellation of successful merchants and financiers, starting with the Bethmanns of medieval northern Germany and ending with the modern-day barons von Bethmann, who are successfully engaged in commercial real estate and forestry in the 21st century. However, the most famous representatives of this family are perhaps Johann Philipp Bethmann (1715-1793) and Simon Moritz Bethmann (1721-1782), who founded their own bank in 1748 with the concise name 'Bethmann', which quickly rose to the top of the list of the most successful German and European banks. It was only sold in 1976. Another prominent member of the dynasty is Simon Moritz von Bethmann (1768-1826), a banker, diplomat, politician, patron of the arts. His sister, Maria Elisabeth Bethmann, was the mother of Countess Marie d'Agoult, the actual wife of composer Ferenc Liszt, and the mother of Cosima Wagner, the wife of Richard Wagner.
The Origins of the Bethmanns in Goslar
The Bethmanns settled in Frankfurt am Main in the early 18th century, but the earliest mentions of the Bethmanns date back to the Saxon town of Goslar. There, the Bethmanns, respected wealthy burghers who had no connection to the feudal nobility, already had the right to send their representatives to the city council and had their own coat of arms. On the right side of this coat of arms, in the form of a shield, a half black eagle is depicted on a gold background, while on the left side, red and silver diagonal stripes alternate. Later, the motto 'Tuebor', which means 'I will defend', was added to the coat of arms. The earliest mention of the Bethmann surname in the list of parishioners, which was recorded on wax tablets, dates back to 1416. Interestingly, the surname Bethmann is a 'speaking' one, like our Smith or Soldier. In some regions in the Middle Ages, tax collectors were called Bethmanns. Further documents record the purchase of various real estate by family representatives, their positions in the city council, joining the merchants' guild, births, weddings, and funerals. The prosperity of the Bethmanns and the entire Goslar was shaken by the beginning of the Thirty Years' War - the completely plundered city never recovered from the consequences of the Swedish occupation. In the 17th century, Germany resembled a patchwork quilt of diverse principalities and duchies, and although this had a negative impact on the development of a national state, it provided rich opportunities for ambitious entrepreneurs. One such person, Conrad Bethmann, a representative of the new generation, left his native Goslar first for education and then for a successful career - Conrad supervised the mints of Princess Nassau-Holtzappel, the Teutonic Order, and the local archbishop. He bequeathed his fortune to his widow, Anna Elisabeth, who came from the city of Minden, where to this day, the Protestant Church of Saint Simon and the Catholic Monastery of Saint Moritz stand side by side in one alley. This is why in subsequent generations of the Bethmanns, there was always at least one son named Simon Moritz. After becoming a widow, Anna Elisabeth moved to Frankfurt am Main with her children, and her children and grandchildren put down deep roots there. Conrad's son, Simon Moritz Bethmann (1687-1725), became a judicial official in Frankfurt, and his children, Johann Philipp (1715-1793) and another Simon Moritz (1721-1782), founded their own bank. The middle son, Johann Jakob (1717-1792), opened a trading division of the family business in Bordeaux, later obtained the position of Imperial Consul there, and became the founder of a branch of the family that still exists in the city today.
Centuries of Prosperity
The following centuries became centuries of prosperity for the Bethmann family. Bankers, patrons of the arts, statesmen, diplomats, railroad and industrial magnates - they successfully overcame economic crises and wars, acquired titles and new commercial interests, and inexorably moved forward, pulling the carriage of history behind them. Today, representatives of this family are the brothers Albrecht Freiherr von Bethmann and Christian Freiherr von Bethmann.
