The Warburgs: The Twentieth-Century Odyssey of a Remarkable Jewish Family

Ron Chernow

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In June 1912, Aby learned that HAPAG planned whole source
In June 1912, Aby learned that HAPAG planned to hang a large portrait of the kaiser in an admiral’s uniform on the main stairway of the new…
In earlier photos, he looked downcast and melancholy whole source
In earlier photos, he looked downcast and melancholy. By 1912, he angrily confronted the camera, his look restless and agitated.
By 1912, he angrily confronted the camera, his whole source
By 1912, he angrily confronted the camera, his look restless and agitated.
Jekyll Island, 1910 After the Panic of 1907, bankers and politicians alike... whole source
After the 1907 panic, bankers were regarded as rogues, swindlers, and incompetents, and the age couldn’t quite conceive of a scrupulous bank…
Again like Aby, he viewed the world through whole source
Again like Aby, he viewed the world through a filter darkened by his own depression and saw problems perhaps hidden to happier souls. In 190…
In 1906 he warned the Chamber of Commerce, whole source
In 1906 he warned the Chamber of Commerce, “I do not like to play the role of Cassandra, but mark what I say.
For a long time, the conspirators wouldn’t admit whole source
For a long time, the conspirators wouldn’t admit the meeting had even occurred. Writing in 1928, Paul still abided by the oath of secrecy.
Writing in 1928, Paul still abided by the whole source
Writing in 1928, Paul still abided by the oath of secrecy.
Paul was eager to launch a national education whole source
Paul was eager to launch a national education campaign and Aldrich had to damp his excessive ardor. Frank Vanderlip of National City Bank de…
Paul exchanged an income estimated at $500,000 a whole source
Paul exchanged an income estimated at $500,000 a year for one pegged at $12,000. At the time he became a top American financial official, Pa…
At the time he became a top American whole source
At the time he became a top American financial official, Paul had never even cast a vote: He became a citizen in 1911 and was in Europe on e…
Paul agreed to testify if all nominees were whole source
Paul agreed to testify if all nominees were treated alike. In early July 1914, three “popular” nominees sailed through without questioning,…
Max believed unhesitatingly that bankers should advance the whole source
Max believed unhesitatingly that bankers should advance the overseas interests of their governments. Noting how his British counterparts sti…
Noting how his British counterparts stimulated an economic whole source
Noting how his British counterparts stimulated an economic rebound from the Boer War, he observed in his bank’s 1904 report, “This shrewd me…
leaped into the first rank of world banking, whole source
leaped into the first rank of world banking, its balance sheet expanding from assets of 46 million marks in 1900, to 127 million marks in 19…
These passing ships connected them to a larger whole source
These passing ships connected them to a larger world. As Paul’s son Jimmy wrote, “From our house, high on the hills overlooking the Elbe, I…
As Paul’s son Jimmy wrote, “From our house, whole source
As Paul’s son Jimmy wrote, “From our house, high on the hills overlooking the Elbe, I could watch an endless procession of ships of many nat…
Moritz had bought Kösterberg for its quiet, rustic whole source
Moritz had bought Kösterberg for its quiet, rustic charm. Soon after he died, Max built an imposing Renaissance villa in 1912, a red-brick m…
During this time, if I may use a whole source
During this time, if I may use a bold comparison, I have taken from the British one trench after another and I have attacked again and again…
Max Warburg's Bank Day speech on war readiness whole source
In 1907, he created a sensation by delivering a Bank Day speech about Germany’s lack of financial preparedness for war.
With the Reichstag vice-president sitting beside a beaming whole source
With the Reichstag vice-president sitting beside a beaming Moritz, Max noted that the Reich gold reserves in the Julius tower at Spandau wou…
Soon regretting this, he proposed instead that new whole source
Soon regretting this, he proposed instead that new war-credit banks be set up to service German industry. Max, Fritz, and Melchior worked on…
Founding of the Hamburg Bank of 1914 whole source
Max, Fritz, and Melchior worked on statutes for the new Hamburg Bank of 1914, a financing model copied throughout Germany.
A visceral patriot who responded to rousing calls whole source
A visceral patriot who responded to rousing calls of wartime citizenship, he also acknowledged the harshness of German military rule. In 191…
CHAPTER 12––Uptown, Downtown Even though the United States whole source
CHAPTER 12––Uptown, Downtown Even though the United States didn’t enter the world war until 1917, the outbreak of fighting in Europe ushere…
During their fin-de-siècle idyll, they had enjoyed a whole source
During their fin-de-siècle idyll, they had enjoyed a hybrid identity, summering in German spas and marrying Germans while indulging their Am…
Before August 1914, this was no contradiction, and whole source
Before August 1914, this was no contradiction, and presented no conflict.
Like Paul, Felix sympathized with Germany and championed whole source
Like Paul, Felix sympathized with Germany and championed American neutrality. When Paul joined the Fed in 1914, Felix took over his M.
When Paul joined the Fed in 1914, Felix whole source
When Paul joined the Fed in 1914, Felix took over his M.
Warburg partnership, which he kept until the United whole source
Warburg partnership, which he kept until the United States declared war in 1917.
Schiff was so strict, proper, and correct, Max whole source
Schiff was so strict, proper, and correct, Max so funny, irreverent, and debonair. During Max’s first American trip in 1911, Schiff had held…
During Max’s first American trip in 1911, Schiff whole source
During Max’s first American trip in 1911, Schiff had held a breakfast for him, inviting forty business leaders.
But probably nothing prepared him for the burst whole source
But probably nothing prepared him for the burst of candor that would suddenly erupt from Schiff during the war. As the war progressed, Max r…
Responding to the chauvinism stirred by war, Jews whole source
Responding to the chauvinism stirred by war, Jews flocked to serve under an imperial flag emblazoned with an Iron Cross and eagle. In August…
In August 1914, Jewish groups issued impassioned calls whole source
In August 1914, Jewish groups issued impassioned calls to arms, urging the community to enlist and refute anti-Semitic libels about their qu…
There is a great prejudice against them, especially whole source
There is a great prejudice against them, especially in naval and military circles, because they have been industrious and have made money.”1…
Every death disturbed him. In January 1915, Aby whole source
Every death disturbed him. In January 1915, Aby S.’s grandson, Franz, died from an exploding shell on the Somme and Aby M.
In January 1915, Aby S.’s grandson, Franz, died whole source
In January 1915, Aby S.’s grandson, Franz, died from an exploding shell on the Somme and Aby M.
Aby undertook one diplomatic mission. In 1914, Italy whole source
Aby undertook one diplomatic mission. In 1914, Italy wavered whether to side with Germany or defect to the Entente powers.
When the Nazis later rewrote this history to whole source
When the Nazis later rewrote this history to suit their needs, the modest, unassuming Fritz was villainized for his “treacherous” part in th…
In 1925, Nazi publicist Theodor Fritsch insisted that whole source
In 1925, Nazi publicist Theodor Fritsch insisted that Fritz had fumbled a sure chance for a separate peace in 1916.
Fritsch asserted that any patriotic German diplomat could whole source
Fritsch asserted that any patriotic German diplomat could have successfully concluded the talks. So, in one deft stroke, the Nazis alleged t…
It is hard to imagine that Paul didn’t whole source
It is hard to imagine that Paul didn’t perceive his son’s behavior as a form of filial rebellion, or that Jimmy didn’t intend it as such. Gr…
Graduating from Harvard in the spring of 1916 whole source
Graduating from Harvard in the spring of 1916 after just three years, Jimmy seemed destined for a Kuhn, Loeb career.
James Warburg invents a naval aircraft compass whole source
While waiting for combat duty, the versatile Ensign Warburg invented a magnetic compass for use in naval aircraft. Jimmy only learned of his…
“During a period of war people act as whole source
“During a period of war people act as in a fever and reasoning is impossible,” he wrote McAdoo.70 What mattered, he said, was to refute any…
The critical paragraph of his May 27, 1914, whole source
The critical paragraph of his May 27, 1914, letter ran as follows: “Much to my regret, Mr.
In these circumstances, I deem it my duty whole source
In these circumstances, I deem it my duty to state to you myself that it is my firm belief that the interest of the country will best be ser…
Yet even as it became a private civil whole source
Yet even as it became a private civil war, setting brother against brother and cousin against cousin, the family maintained a touching fidel…
In February 1917, Max’s son Eric wrote to whole source
In February 1917, Max’s son Eric wrote to his pro-Allied cousin Jimmy about the hardships of the frigid Hamburg winter.
This regimented upbringing would produce a young man whole source
This regimented upbringing would produce a young man with a powerful wanderlust and a craving for freedom and adventure. Already an ardent p…
After the American envoy at the Hague, Garret, whole source
After the American envoy at the Hague, Garret, intimated that he might be willing to talk with an influential German, Max was recruited for…
Later, when General Erich Ludendorff accused him of whole source
Later, when General Erich Ludendorff accused him of trafficking with the enemy, Max pointed out that Count Hertling had sent him. In June 19…
Max Warburg addresses Reichstag deputies on postwar policy whole source
In June 1918, Max made a speech on postwar economic policy before 175 Reichstag deputies visiting Hamburg and thus established himself as an…
He and a servant carried the comatose Ballin whole source
He and a servant carried the comatose Ballin to a Mittelweg clinic where they tried to pump his stomach, but the drugs produced a bleeding u…
Albert Ballin dies as the German Empire falls whole source
Max phoned the clinic, but didn’t get there before Ballin died at one o’clock in the afternoon on November 9, 1918—the day the Empire ended.
Hamburg City Council elected in free, secret elections whole source
The revolutionaries made little headway with the food and fuel shortages and the growing ranks of jobless workers. On March 26, 1919, the Ci…
Where did a rational sophisticated Jew belong in whole source
Where did a rational sophisticated Jew belong in the modern world? In July 1918, his brother-in-law, Wilhelm Hertz, invited Aby and Mary to…
In July 1918, his brother-in-law, Wilhelm Hertz, invited whole source
In July 1918, his brother-in-law, Wilhelm Hertz, invited Aby and Mary to a family gathering along with two anti-Semitic guests.
“This physically fear-ridden man was mentally the most whole source
“This physically fear-ridden man was mentally the most fearless man I have known,” he said.43 Max Adolph was unwell during the war and great…
CHAPTER 15––Phantom Castle, Phantom Peace In early 1919, whole source
CHAPTER 15––Phantom Castle, Phantom Peace In early 1919, Germany wasn’t yet at peace; hostilities merely shifted from the western front to…
Max’s son, Eric, first saw combat in this whole source
Max’s son, Eric, first saw combat in this vicious internal war. Before Christmas 1918, he and his regiment stormed the Berlin Castle, occupi…
Before Christmas 1918, he and his regiment stormed whole source
Before Christmas 1918, he and his regiment stormed the Berlin Castle, occupied by a mutinous naval division; eight gunners died in an aborti…
Noting turmoil at home, he observed that revolutions, whole source
Noting turmoil at home, he observed that revolutions, at the beginning, always smash beautiful monuments, but that one shouldn’t despair. In…
In an image that strikingly foreshadowed his Pollyanna whole source
In an image that strikingly foreshadowed his Pollyanna views of 1933, he wrote, “We may regard that as a mere token of a temporary political…
Germany signs the Treaty of Versailles whole source
He said he thought it best if the government had advisers who were in agreement with its policies. The new Cabinet consented to the Allied t…
In the Jews, right-wing zealots found a vulnerable whole source
In the Jews, right-wing zealots found a vulnerable domestic group whom they could use as a proxy for those foreigners whom they couldn’t tou…
In 1919 Adolf Hitler began to proselytize among whole source
In 1919 Adolf Hitler began to proselytize among angry veterans in Munich beer halls.
Weimar Assembly adopts the German constitution whole source
Of the one hundred billion mark offer, he said, “Well, they are not getting even that now. They have surprises awaiting them.”30 On July 31…
CHAPTER 16––The Murder Exploding Detachment Separated by war whole source
CHAPTER 16––The Murder Exploding Detachment Separated by war and a news blackout, the Warburgs didn’t heal their transatlantic wartime brea…
Thank goodness, he assures me that all goes whole source
Thank goodness, he assures me that all goes well with my children and grandchildren abroad.”1 Charlotte would die of a heart attack two year…
After Germany signed the peace treaty in 1919, whole source
After Germany signed the peace treaty in 1919, a backlog of musty mail also tumbled in on the amazed American Warburgs.
Paul Warburg launches the International Acceptance Bank whole source
In April 1921, Paul, encouraged by Max, launched the International Acceptance Bank in New York.
Since the Nazis later accused Jewish bankers of whole source
Since the Nazis later accused Jewish bankers of sabotaging the economy, it is worth noting that Paul and Max acted as a critical conduit of…
Warburgs sell AEG loan issue to the Guggenheims whole source
Already in 1920, the Warburgs pulled off a big transatlantic deal for the German electrical company, AEG, selling a quarter of its new loan…
A well-drilled Nazi cell existed in the Hamburg whole source
A well-drilled Nazi cell existed in the Hamburg police department. (When the first Storm Troopers unit was formed in November 1922, it was h…
(When the first Storm Troopers unit was formed whole source
(When the first Storm Troopers unit was formed in November 1922, it was headed by a Hamburg police clerk.) Far from guarding Max, P.
had kept his Nazi comrades closely posted on whole source
had kept his Nazi comrades closely posted on his movements and Max would have been an easy murder target had he not fled to Amsterdam. After…
It took 30 plants just to produce the whole source
It took 30 plants just to produce the sea of paper. As Germany lurched toward civil war, Cuno fell in August 1923 and was replaced by Max’s…
Stresemann succeeds Cuno as German chancellor whole source
As Germany lurched toward civil war, Cuno fell in August 1923 and was replaced by Max’s hero, Gustav Stresemann, who immediately declared ma…
There he ate well, put on weight, and whole source
There he ate well, put on weight, and began to compose Mein Kampf. On November 12, 1923, following the Hitler putsch, the government named D…
Volkischer Beobachter attacks the Warburgs whole source
On February 22, 1923, the Nazi newspaper, the Völkischer Beobachter, attacked Paul, Felix, and Max.
CHAPTER 17––The Royal Couple Aman of stern willpower, whole source
CHAPTER 17––The Royal Couple Aman of stern willpower, Jacob Schiff made few concessions to age in his last years. During the 1919 summer, h…
During the 1919 summer, he took eight-hour hikes whole source
During the 1919 summer, he took eight-hour hikes at Bar Harbor, refusing to admit the least fatigue afterward.
Now and then, he grew wistful. In January whole source
Now and then, he grew wistful. In January 1920, he told Max that he looked forward to seeing his beloved German haunts again, but added, “I…
He promoted their careers through auditions with Otto whole source
He promoted their careers through auditions with Otto Kahn. It became a joke at 1109 that when Felix went off to “ride his bicycle,” he was…
It became a joke at 1109 that when whole source
It became a joke at 1109 that when Felix went off to “ride his bicycle,” he was cycling off to a rendezvous.
If the bassoonist missed a note, Felix and whole source
If the bassoonist missed a note, Felix and Bodansky would turn in unison and glare at the culprit. For chamber music concerts at 1109, the W…
In the 1920s, Felix and Frieda Warburg held whole source
In the 1920s, Felix and Frieda Warburg held court as the King and Queen of American Jewry. Every Jew with a crazy scheme or pet hope gravita…
Every Jew with a crazy scheme or pet whole source
Every Jew with a crazy scheme or pet hope gravitated to 1109 Fifth Avenue, which conjured up images of a bottomless store of wealth.
Postwar changes in Europe had isolated many Jews whole source
Postwar changes in Europe had isolated many Jews in new nation-states carved from the old, collapsed empires and the Joint sped relief to po…
A crestfallen Aby Warburg after emerging from the whole source
A crestfallen Aby Warburg after emerging from the asylum, circa 1925.(Warburg Institute) Lushly abundant archway at Kösterberg, with hangin…
From left: Gisela, Lola, Anita, and Renate. (Courtesy whole source
From left: Gisela, Lola, Anita, and Renate. (Courtesy of Anita Warburg) Lola Hahn-Warburg with Benita on lap and Oscar by her side, 1927.
(Courtesy of Anita Warburg) Lola Hahn-Warburg with Benita whole source
(Courtesy of Anita Warburg) Lola Hahn-Warburg with Benita on lap and Oscar by her side, 1927.
Balfour opens the Hebrew University of Jerusalem whole source
On April 1, 1925, Lord Arthur Balfour presided over the opening ceremonies for the Hebrew University, a moving event in a natural amphitheat…
In university affairs, Einstein proved an even more whole source
In university affairs, Einstein proved an even more formidable foe than Weizmann. He was a frequent guest at 1109 Fifth Avenue and sailed wi…
He was a frequent guest at 1109 Fifth whole source
He was a frequent guest at 1109 Fifth Avenue and sailed with Felix aboard the Carol.
Saxl’s students would report about him a similar whole source
Saxl’s students would report about him a similar heavy-handed-ness. By 1920, the Warburgs, despairing that Aby would ever emerge from his Sw…
Saxl named acting director of the Warburg Library whole source
By 1920, the Warburgs, despairing that Aby would ever emerge from his Swiss asylum, named Saxl the library’s acting director, with Gertrud B…
Giving a great fillip to the Warburg library whole source
Giving a great fillip to the Warburg library was the founding of Hamburg University, a cause so dear to Aby’s heart. On August 19, 1921, he…
Since childhood, he noted, Aby had been ruled whole source
Since childhood, he noted, Aby had been ruled by obsessive fears and compulsive behavior. The 1918 breakdown, in his view, marked a transiti…
The 1918 breakdown, in his view, marked a whole source
The 1918 breakdown, in his view, marked a transition from neurotic to psychotic behavior, with muscular tension that hadn’t yet subsided.
Aby would always stress his own powers of whole source
Aby would always stress his own powers of self-regeneration rather than the treatment he received. By spring 1923, he was starting to exorci…
The accretion never ended and more books kept whole source
The accretion never ended and more books kept arriving every day. In 1924, Aby awarded the contract for an adjoining Warburg Library to arch…
Aby Warburg commissions the Warburg Library building whole source
In 1924, Aby awarded the contract for an adjoining Warburg Library to architect Fritz Schumacher, who then passed on the project to Gerhard…
Max donated a former bank elevator and brother whole source
Max donated a former bank elevator and brother Fritz a candelabra from the stairway. At the May 1926 dedication, visitors passed beneath the…
The more Max was accused of evil machinations, whole source
The more Max was accused of evil machinations, the more marginal his true power became. In 1923, he decided to adopt a more aggressive attit…
In 1923, he decided to adopt a more whole source
In 1923, he decided to adopt a more aggressive attitude toward press libels.
In fact, the courts of Weimar Germany would whole source
In fact, the courts of Weimar Germany would prove far more tolerant of extremism from the right than from the left. By 1924, the Nazi party…
The Fritsch story has an interesting coda. By whole source
The Fritsch story has an interesting coda. By 1927, Felix, Louis Marshall, and the American Jewish Committee had convinced Henry Ford that t…
Henry Ford renounces the Protocols as forgeries whole source
By 1927, Felix, Louis Marshall, and the American Jewish Committee had convinced Henry Ford that the Protocols of the Elders of Zion were pat…
Ford retracts and apologizes for The International Jew whole source
Not only did Ford apologize to the Jews and retract the book, but he wrote to Fritsch, asking him to recall the German edition. Deaf to thes…
During a Gauleiter meeting in Weimar on November whole source
During a Gauleiter meeting in Weimar on November 27, 1927, Ley discussed the matter with Hitler, showing him the letter Bücher had circulate…
Farben, which was now unmasked for all time whole source
Farben, which was now unmasked for all time as a tool of “money-mighty Jews.”23 Hitler later rewarded Ley by making him head of the German L…
First Nazi party rally at Nuremberg whole source
The Nazis held their first Nuremberg party rally in 1927.
His high-minded self-absorption only deepened after his emergence whole source
His high-minded self-absorption only deepened after his emergence from Kreuzungen. In 1925, Mary sketched a drawing that suggested the impas…
In 1925, Mary sketched a drawing that suggested whole source
In 1925, Mary sketched a drawing that suggested the impassable chasm between them.
Thwarting Max Adolph’s ambition to become a painter, whole source
Thwarting Max Adolph’s ambition to become a painter, Aby shipped him off to a strict boarding school and made him read classics at various u…
First postwar German stock listed in London whole source
In 1960, Siegmund arranged a London share quotation for the August Thyssen steel combine—the first listing of a German stock since the war.…
Schuman proposes European coal and steel authority whole source
To bind the two countries in amity, the French foreign minister, Robert Schuman, devised a plan in 1950 for a supranational coal and steel a…
The prevailing attitude was summed whole source
The prevailing attitude was summed up in a letter Freddy wrote Eric in 1958, “We have been very busy with Siegmund’s ventures in Europe but…
In 1946, he married a whole source
In 1946, he married a tall, funny, formidably blunt lady named Wilma Shannon. On Jewish holidays, he was always in a quandary about whether…
Freddy had been bitter about whole source
Freddy had been bitter about the failure of the German Warburgs to repay the 1931 bailout loan, which he held against Siegmund.29 Eric had a…
One day in 1958, Freddy whole source
One day in 1958, Freddy dredged up this ancient history and threw it in Siegmund’s face. To make matters worse, he cited Eric as its source—…
Arriving in England in 1939 whole source
Arriving in England in 1939 at seventy-three, Lucie shared her son’s admiration for British gentleness and fairness. Sure of Hitler’s defeat…
In spring 1954, while Siegmund whole source
In spring 1954, while Siegmund was at Kuhn, Loeb, Lucie fell in her room and broke several ribs. It speaks much of her consideration for her…
By early 1955, she was whole source
By early 1955, she was suffering frightful asthma attacks, yet never lost her humor. About to visit New York, Siegmund remarked, “You really…
At Christmas 1959, Anna had whole source
At Christmas 1959, Anna had visited Israel with her parents and decided to live there. In 1962, age thirty-one, Anna married a real estate d…
In 1962, age thirty-one, Anna whole source
In 1962, age thirty-one, Anna married a real estate developer, Dov Biegun, who was nearly twenty years her senior. They had met while Dov wa…
In 1954, Siegmund brought him whole source
In 1954, Siegmund brought him into S. G.
In 1949, he visited Paul whole source
In 1949, he visited Paul Ziegler at his monastery. Originally Jewish, Ziegler was an old friend who had converted to Catholicism and become…
When he granted an interview whole source
When he granted an interview to the Sunday Telegraph in 1970, it was such a novelty that the paper trumpeted, “Sir Siegmund Warburg speaks.”…
Warburg endows European graphology foundation whole source
To further her work, Siegmund in 1963 endowed from his own pocket the European Foundation of Graphological Science and Application, creating…
In 1972, when Rothschilds tried whole source
In 1972, when Rothschilds tried to exclude S. G.
By 1957, Siegmund had crafted whole source
By 1957, Siegmund had crafted the splendid fighting machine that would soon dominate London finance, but he still had second-rate clients. H…
In 1957 a member bank whole source
In 1957 a member bank came up for sale for the first time in fifty years. Although the least prestigious member, Seligman Brothers provided…
When the merger took place whole source
When the merger took place in May 1957, S. G.
— In November 1958, the whole source
— In November 1958, the Reynolds/Tube group twice visited the posh BA headquarters on St. James’s Square and informed Lord Portal of their…
He called Barings the “finest whole source
He called Barings the “finest of all the City houses” and said its senior partner, Sir Edward Reid, “went out of his way to indicate sympath…
Reynolds and TI win the British Aluminium War whole source
By January, 6,1959, Reynolds/TI announced that it had achieved majority control of British Aluminium stock. Siegmund Warburg had defied the…
Roy Thomson acquires the Sunday Times whole source
In July 1959, Siegmund advised Roy Thomson, the Toronto barber’s son who owned a chain of Canadian newspapers, in his purchase of the Sunday…
In a 1970 interview, Siegmund whole source
In a 1970 interview, Siegmund admitted that he had often asked himself whether “there is not a strong grain of wisdom behind an inclination…
Each year, Eric lunched with whole source
Each year, Eric lunched with Count von Rothkirch, the languid, monocled general who had led German troops into Vienna in 1938 and whom he ha…
In 1945, Eric’s deputy had whole source
In 1945, Eric’s deputy had interrogated a short, stocky lieutenant general named Fritz Bayerlein, who had been Rommel’s tank chief in North…
In 1967, right after the whole source
In 1967, right after the Six-Day War, he burst into Eric’s office, unfurling a military map of the Sinai peninsula. For two hours, he babble…
To stimulate change, Donald Blinken whole source
To stimulate change, Donald Blinken introduced Eric to a tall, handsome young man named Lionel Pincus in 1965. Pincus’s grandfather had migr…
In January 1966 Pincus acquired whole source
In January 1966 Pincus acquired a 50 percent stake in E. M.
On their first trip to whole source
On their first trip to Germany together in 1967, Pincus admired Eric’s diplomatic arts and pondered the awkward position of a Jewish banker…
For fifteen years, he told whole source
For fifteen years, he told Eric, Brinckmann had “been surrounded by yes-men” and was “inclined to take the attitude that anybody who does no…
At a dramatic board meeting whole source
At a dramatic board meeting in March 1961, Siegmund and Eric watched as key members, heavily lobbied by Brinckmann, voted a partnership for…
As the Financial Times said whole source
As the Financial Times said of Brinckmann in 1966, he “regarded himself as more of a custodian than the Nazis would have liked, and relation…
John Schiff, who avoided controversy, whole source
John Schiff, who avoided controversy, said the financial world hadn’t seen such bitterness since Jacob Schiff and Pierpont Morgan vied for t…
In 1961 Siegmund also proposed whole source
In 1961 Siegmund also proposed that they exchange small holdings in each other—before he was the sole link—to bridge the differences between…
The rickety structure took a whole source
The rickety structure took a mortal drubbing during the summer of 1962 when the U.S. Treasury secretary, Douglas Dillon, told an internation…
In January 1963, S. whole source
In January 1963, S. G.
Warburg arranges the first Eurobond issue whole source
The historic deal was signed on July 1, 1963. (The real recipient of the money was the steel-making company Finsider, a sister subsidiary of…
In 1962, he and other whole source
In 1962, he and other bankers visited Japan under the aegis of the Bank of England, and their hosts included the chairman of Nomura Securiti…
In an unsigned Times obituary whole source
In an unsigned Times obituary on October 21, 1970, Ian Fraser had tried to give Gert the due denied by Warburgs. Among the 250 houses active…
In 1969, Mobil Oil wanted whole source
In 1969, Mobil Oil wanted to buy a German oil-production company, Gelsenkirchener Bergwerk, then trying to ward off French suitors. A majori…
As he had since 1946, whole source
As he had since 1946, he continued to insist upon diversification, and in 1964 Mercury Securities added the British Gallup Poll firm to its…
It also wasn’t far from whole source
It also wasn’t far from Swabia and perhaps stirred some old memories; as late as 1980, Siegmund attended a reunion of his Gymnasium. He had…
Sir Eric Roll, who became whole source
Sir Eric Roll, who became chairman in 1974, wrote that to know what was happening in the office, “the quickest and surest way was to telepho…
In one sketch called “Gloom,” whole source
In one sketch called “Gloom,” Sharp depicted Siegmund “in his villa in Blonay, amidst the theoretical beauty of the Lake of Geneva which can…
When Ernest Thalmann died in whole source
When Ernest Thalmann died in 1962, Siegmund spoke eloquently in a funeral oration of “the fog and mist of our daily doings and the long trai…
In 1970, he took fifteen whole source
In 1970, he took fifteen thousand pounds in salary from his firm—less than many subordinates. Somebody else managed his money and he never f…
In a notable gesture of whole source
In a notable gesture of trust, he asked this stranger and newcomer to read him the results.5 For his seventieth birthday in 1972, his collea…
Spira trained as a chartered whole source
Spira trained as a chartered accountant, joining the firm in 1957. Spira was a nonobservant Jew with a Jewish wife.
Spira didn’t fathom how sensitive whole source
Spira didn’t fathom how sensitive Siegmund could be, as became clear when he was named a director in 1964. Siegmund was afraid that Spira, w…
For years he nursed this whole source
For years he nursed this wound in silence and only told Spira at a 1980 lunch how hurt he had been.12 Spira’s error precipitated a fall fro…
On his first visit in whole source
On his first visit in 1959, he was moved by his experience of a kibbutz. During the Six-Day War in 1967, Siegmund took up a collection among…
CIA correctly predicts the Six-Day War whole source
During the Six-Day War in 1967, Siegmund took up a collection among Jewish bankers on the proviso that afterward they reform Israeli finance…
Israel Corporation founded at Jerusalem summit whole source
At a 1968 economic summit in Jerusalem, Siegmund emerged as the guiding spirit behind the Israel Corporation, which was to funnel foreign ca…
When Peter Stormonth Darling became whole source
When Peter Stormonth Darling became chairman of Warburg Investment Management in 1979, Siegmund instructed him, “Now, Peter, you are the cha…
Then in 1973, amid a whole source
Then in 1973, amid a chorus of grumbling at Gresham Street, S. G.
He had formed a close whole source
He had formed a close friendship with the more malleable Pierre Moussa, president after 1978, and wooed Moussa with gourmet meals, fine wine…
“Siegmund was the most facile whole source
“Siegmund was the most facile and scintillating conversationalist I’d ever met in my life,” Reich recalled.7 In 1979, Siegmund agreed to a r…
Siegmund Warburg receives Order of the Sacred Treasure whole source
In 1978, he went to Japan to receive the First Class Order of the Sacred Treasure from Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda. The honor, awarded in th…
French Socialists move to nationalize Paribas whole source
In September 1981, the French Socialists announced plans to nationalize the Paris-based bank. Moussa warned the new government that this mov…
Death of Sir Siegmund Warburg whole source
Three weeks after the Munich meeting, on October 18, 1982, Sir Siegmund Warburg died, a deeply unhappy man devoured by a dream. With his usu…
With his usual thoroughness, leaving whole source
With his usual thoroughness, leaving nothing to chance, Siegmund had written up instructions in 1980 for how to handle his death. He didn’t…
Since 1923 the forest had whole source
Since 1923 the forest had closed in around the tall forgotten gravestone and the children now cleared space around it. Eva wrote a moving le…
In 1979, he went to whole source
In 1979, he went to see the antique collection of the Munich Glyptothek, which had six glass cabinets filled with Jim Loeb’s exquisite Greek…
In 1979, he sailed to whole source
In 1979, he sailed to Denmark and Poland on the Warburg schooner, Atalanta, with his fellow Hamburger, Chancellor Helmut Schmidt. After one…
When he published his memoirs, whole source
When he published his memoirs, Bettina teased him that he only seemed to know famous people.1 In 1970, on his seventieth birthday, Eric thre…
In 1980, at Eric’s urging, whole source
In 1980, at Eric’s urging, she took her son, Oliviero, to the town of Warburg and other spots in Germany. Only among old friends and Resista…
Of a 1954 visit to whole source
Of a 1954 visit to Germany, he wrote, “At several sessions of the Bundestag, I had an opportunity to observe the autocratic contempt with wh…
Kennedy’s election in 1960 and whole source
Kennedy’s election in 1960 and a sudden progressive upsurge, it looked as if Jimmy’s moment had at last arrived. He was a hero to young idea…
Becoming a German citizen in whole source
Becoming a German citizen in 1970, Max studied law and economics then received a first-rate banking education at Chase Manhattan and E. M.
On January 1, 1982, Eric whole source
On January 1, 1982, Eric retired and Max became a partner with Siegmund’s small stake. Thus ended Siegmund’s dream of controlling a great Wa…
In 1986, Max brought in whole source
In 1986, Max brought in Dr. Christian Olearius, a managing director of the Norddeutsche Landesbank in Hannover.
January 21, 1993. whole source
January 21, 1993. Handwriting Assessment Report: S.
1891–1986. whole source
1891–1986. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1992.
New York: William Morrow and whole source
New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1992. Adler, Cyrus.
Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Doran whole source
Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Doran and Company, 1928. Agar, Herbert.
The Hebrew University 1925–1935. whole source
The Hebrew University 1925–1935. New York: Ktav Publishing House, Inc., 1974.
New York: Ktav Publishing House, whole source
New York: Ktav Publishing House, Inc., 1974. Peterson, Edward Norman.
Boston: The Christopher Publishing House, whole source
Boston: The Christopher Publishing House, 1954. Peukert, Detlev J.
Ltd., 1961. whole source
Ltd., 1961. Saxl, Fritz.
“The Legacy of Displaced Persons—A whole source
“The Legacy of Displaced Persons—A Personal Chronicle.” Presented at a Meeting on the Holocaust, Hunter College, New York, October 22, 1979.…
“Parsnip and Pickles” (1968) —–. whole source
“Parsnip and Pickles” (1968) —–. “Repercussions” (1968) —–.
The New Yorker, April 9, whole source
The New Yorker, April 9, 1966. 17.
The American Scholar, Summer 1988, whole source
The American Scholar, Summer 1988, p. 449.
Eddy Lachman, letter to the whole source
Eddy Lachman, letter to the author, April 19, 1992. 4.
MMW Ma V, letter from whole source
MMW Ma V, letter from Max to Charlotte Warburg, March 25, 1889. 7.
MMW JW I, letter from whole source
MMW JW I, letter from Max to James Warburg, April 8, 1929. 12.
Eddy Lachman, letter to author, whole source
Eddy Lachman, letter to author, April 19, 1992. 15.
Warburg, July 24, 1924. whole source
Warburg, July 24, 1924. 3.
FW, B343, F6, Juilliard Commencement whole source
FW, B343, F6, Juilliard Commencement Address, May 28, 1937. 4.
The New Yorker, June 11, whole source
The New Yorker, June 11, 1955. 25.
AW Kopierbuch 6 26(7) Hamburg whole source
AW Kopierbuch 6 26(7) Hamburg transcript, letter to Frau Lore, July 1, 1917. 13.
Family Correspondence 1887–1900, letter from whole source
Family Correspondence 1887–1900, letter from unnamed Kamerad, June 20, 1894. 14.
Leo Baeck Institute Year Book whole source
Leo Baeck Institute Year Book XVI—1971, p. 225.
Marie Warburg, letter to the whole source
Marie Warburg, letter to the author, October 31, 1991. 15.
Letter from Nina to Jim whole source
Letter from Nina to Jim Loeb—April 16, 1898. 24.
German U-boat sinks the Lusitania whole source
The Century magazine, May 1915. 10.
The American Jewish Year Book whole source
The American Jewish Year Book 5699 Vol 40, September 26, 1938-September 13, 1939. p.
The New York Times, August whole source
The New York Times, August 11, 1991. 28.
Hamburger Abendblatt, August 14, 1982. whole source
Hamburger Abendblatt, August 14, 1982. 2.
MMW MW 11, letter from whole source
MMW MW 11, letter from Max Warburg to Herr Huldermann, December 28, 1921. 3.
Among Jewish businessmen (1937) whole source
The last door clanged shut for German Jews just as life in Germany grew intolerable. Although Palestine had been the major mecca for emigrat…
Among Jewish businessmen (1933) whole source
The last door clanged shut for German Jews just as life in Germany grew intolerable. Although Palestine had been the major mecca for emigrat…
Among Jewish businessmen (1936) whole source
The Reichsbank also issued new rules making it harder to transfer money to Palestine, persuading Max that Palestine had reached the limits o…
Suffering from fatigue (1937) whole source
Weizmann and Ben-Gurion rightly believed that Felix felt threatened by a Jewish state, which, he now said, would disenfranchise world Jewry…
Suffering from fatigue (1938) whole source
Felix died at a moment when Eddie had grown disillusioned with his fast, forbidden, Bohemian world of art and ballet and wanted to return to…
CHAPTER 32––The Twilight Dynasty Even as Max helped people ... (1938) whole source
It provided work nationwide for seventeen hundred Jewish actors, entertainers, and musicians hounded from their jobs. On January 9, 1938, in…
CHAPTER 32––The Twilight Dynasty Even as Max helped people ... (1937) whole source
Regardless of whether a German Jew was observant or not, he concluded, “today he is a Jew, with all the emotional barriers, all the problems…
CHAPTER 32––The Twilight Dynasty Even as Max helped people ... (1936) whole source
Schacht’s, a strategy that had at first paid off handsomely, enabling him to survive in a charmed sphere, protected by invisible barriers, i…
A fierce Aryanization battle raged over the pipe and blast f... (1932) whole source
As Göring tried to expel Jewish owners from industries of strategic importance, especially in mining and metals, he found an enthusiastic su…
A fierce Aryanization battle raged over the pipe and blast f... (1937) whole source
With a crude steel empire that by 1932 rivaled that of Krupp, Flick had lavishly subsidized Heinrich Himmler and the SS. By 1937, he sat ato…
A fierce Aryanization battle raged over the pipe and blast f... (1935) whole source
One of them, a Nazi official named Dr. Werner Daitz, quietly notified the military in 1935 that the company had 90 percent Jewish or foreign…
At first (1920) whole source
M. Warburg in 1920. He had fully inhabited the Warburg universe.
At first (1938) whole source
Not only had he rotated through every department at the bank, but had even worked with Paul at the IAB in the 1920s. He didn’t become a part…
CHAPTER 33––Orphans of the Storm The bond between Max and E... (1938) whole source
He passed through the Third Reich with his own cheerful resilience. “I do not envy him his life,” Eddie Warburg said of him in 1938, “but I…
CHAPTER 33––Orphans of the Storm The bond between Max and E... (1936) whole source
“I do not envy him his life,” Eddie Warburg said of him in 1938, “but I do envy him his real nobility of character which enables him to carr…
They found it miraculous to be back in their Stockholm flat (1938) whole source
Max warned people, “The first time that you meet my daughter, she will behave like a lady, the next time she will get on your nerves with he…
They found it miraculous to be back in their Stockholm flat (1939) whole source
She succeeded in her work despite these impediments. The Children’s Transport movement was a magnificent achievement that had snatched ten t…
Moving in and out of Germany on business (1937) whole source
He was extremely worried about political developments in Germany. On August 16, 1937, he penned an eloquent letter that was to be read by Ev…
Moving in and out of Germany on business (1988) whole source
Like Siegmund, she had an uncommon capacity for keeping secrets. Even when she published her memoirs in 1988, she toyed with disclosing the…
Moving in and out of Germany on business (1938) whole source
“She felt protected and she also provided work to a lot of people.”29 But after Kristallnacht she no longer felt safe. In December 1938, Sie…
On January 2 (1939) whole source
On January 2, 1939, Hitler called Schacht to the Obersalzberg for a report on the London talks. By this point, the Führer had lost patience…
CHAPTER 34––Surreal Saviors During his new life in New York (1938) whole source
The financial world would always seem too small to encompass these two striving Warburgs. In 1938, Eric started E. M.
CHAPTER 34––Surreal Saviors During his new life in New York (1940) whole source
He was cast in a pundit’s role by a Wall Street famished for educated guesses about German war strategy. In early April 1940, Thomas W. Lamo…
CHAPTER 34––Surreal Saviors During his new life in New York (1939) whole source
Now the political scene provided scope for his latent diplomatic skills. When Stalin invaded Finland in December 1939, the Finnish ambassado…
As always in Jewish history (1936) whole source
— As with so many German Warburgs, Ingrid ended up staying in New York far longer than she had dreamed. After graduating from Hamburg Unive…
As always in Jewish history (1937) whole source
Trusting to the common sense of the German people, he thought that the German officer corps, with its honorable, conservative traditions, wo…
Ingrid’s apartment overlooked the garden of the Museum of Mo... (1940) whole source
The ERC was often flying blind in tracking down threatened artists and intellectuals amid the alarums of war. In July 1940, the group decide…
Ingrid’s apartment overlooked the garden of the Museum of Mo... (1941) whole source
Ingrid steadfastly ignored hints of family displeasure about Veniero’s character. In January 1941, he issued an ultimatum; either Ingrid wou…
Ingrid’s apartment overlooked the garden of the Museum of Mo... (1938) whole source
But she never recaptured the high sense of beauty and purpose that had animated her time with Adam and the Emergency Rescue Committee. ——Mit…
CHAPTER 35––Deathwatch Even as the Warburgs sounded the ala... (1941) whole source
CHAPTER 35––Deathwatch Even as the Warburgs sounded the alarm about the German menace in America and Britain, the Nazis exploited their goo…
CHAPTER 35––Deathwatch Even as the Warburgs sounded the ala... (1938) whole source
Robert Ley’s German Labor Front.2 In fairness to Brinckmann, it is hard to imagine any employer who could have flouted such demands. After M…
CHAPTER 35––Deathwatch Even as the Warburgs sounded the ala... (1933) whole source
Oral testimony from Warburg employees presents a mixed picture of Nazi meddling at the bank. In 1933, not a single employee belonged to the…
The Warburgs of Hamburg were spared the ghastly world of the... (1804) whole source
S. Warburg in 1804. The W.
The Warburgs of Hamburg were spared the ghastly world of the... (1940) whole source
Possibly from proud memories of the old rivalry, these Altona Warburgs never appealed to the Hamburg Warburgs, so far as one can tell. On Ma…
The Warburgs of Hamburg were spared the ghastly world of the... (1929) whole source
They were martyrs to their innocence. — The final act of the Warburg drama in Europe was enacted on the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam, where t…
Like many sons of strong (1934) whole source
As a classical scholar, Max Adolph shared Aby’s delight in untangling myths and decoding symbols. In 1934, he received a teacher’s diploma f…
Like many sons of strong (1939) whole source
He married Josepha Spiero, who had two children from a previous marriage. While her son was sent to safety in America in 1939, the protectio…
Like many sons of strong (1940) whole source
They also had their own little girl with the charming name of Lux. On May 10, 1940, the Germans jolted their fairy-tale realm of Eerde. As J…
CHAPTER 36––Little Man and Fat Boy Settled in a comfortable... (1939) whole source
He had the good fortune to serve on the Executive Committee of the Joint, which remained in a position to aid European Jewry until American…
CHAPTER 36––Little Man and Fat Boy Settled in a comfortable... (1929) whole source
His Job-like experience in Imperial, Weimar, and Nazi Germany had taught him stern lessons about the impermanence of wealth, the vanity of w…
CHAPTER 36––Little Man and Fat Boy Settled in a comfortable... (1941) whole source
Shortly after Germany invaded Poland, he inscribed on its back: “The events of the war and the revolutionary time in Germany only made it ev…
The hardheaded banker flirted with fanciful schemes for worl... (1942) whole source
Max never overcame his sense that Weizmann betrayed the Warburgs and he resented that the Jewish Agency presumed to speak for Jews worldwide…
The hardheaded banker flirted with fanciful schemes for worl... (1944) whole source
Alice sometimes seemed dazed, shell-shocked, by the expulsion from Eden. On two trips to New York, Siegmund perceived the pathos of Alice’s…
The hardheaded banker flirted with fanciful schemes for worl... (1943) whole source
Gisela still worked for Hadassah, touring the country, frequently discussing Palestine with Frieda. In 1943, she married a young federal cou…
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor (1942) whole source
Army Air Force Intelligence. The American military urgently needed people steeped in the German language, politics, and geography and so in…
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor (1943) whole source
Eisenhower.) To inform the family of his whereabouts and bypass censors, Eric referred to a Kokoschka painting of the region owned by the Wa…
By his first night there (1945) whole source
Writing to his pregnant wife from the prison camp, Alain suggested that if the child were a boy he should be named Eric, which in fact occur…
By his first night there (1943) whole source
Even this rump operation was disbanded when the Warburg librarian, Hans Meier, was killed by a bomb. When financial guarantees for the Warbu…
By his first night there (1944) whole source
Also, a spot check showed that the British Museum didn’t have 30 percent of the books in the Warburg Institute, confirming the library’s loc…
CHAPTER 37––Charnel House In the autumn of 1944 (1944) whole source
CHAPTER 37––Charnel House In the autumn of 1944, Eric set foot on German territory for the first time since 1938, as the Allies carried the…
CHAPTER 37––Charnel House In the autumn of 1944 (1938) whole source
CHAPTER 37––Charnel House In the autumn of 1944, Eric set foot on German territory for the first time since 1938, as the Allies carried the…
CHAPTER 37––Charnel House In the autumn of 1944 (1918) whole source
On a damp, gray October day, he entered Aachen to observe firsthand the Third Reich’s ghastly legacy of gutted, skeletal buildings and dazed…
Eric had the rank and mobility to get a bird’s-eye view of a... (1938) whole source
He flew down to Bavaria, swept over a shattered Nuremberg, then glided by Hitler’s Berghof, tucked away in solemn Alpine splendor on the Obe…
Eric had the rank and mobility to get a bird’s-eye view of a... (1922) whole source
——An uproarious Felix Warburg in Cortina, Italy. August 1922. His teenage son, Eddie, took this high-spirited picture that was dubbed “Greet…
Eric had the rank and mobility to get a bird’s-eye view of a... (1943) whole source
August 1922. His teenage son, Eddie, took this high-spirited picture that was dubbed “Greeting the Dawn.” (American Jewish Archives) ——A so…
Robert Ley commits suicide before Nuremberg trial whole source
We might note two events of special Warburg interest. On October 25, 1945, Dr. Robert Ley, former Nazi nemesis of Max Warburg, committed sui…
Hjalmar Schacht acquitted and freed on appeal whole source
Dr. Schacht was finally acquitted on appeal and set free in September 1948. — Eric was a man of composite identity who felt American, Germa…
Part Five THE RETURN OF THE ALSTERUFER AND MITTELWEG WARBURG... (1941) whole source
Part Five THE RETURN OF THE ALSTERUFER AND MITTELWEG WARBURGS ——Siegmund Warburg and his son, George, in officer training corps uniform, De…
CHAPTER 38––The Upstart On April 18 (1939) whole source
CHAPTER 38––The Upstart On April 18, 1939, Siegmund Warburg had become a naturalized British citizen, giving him a measure of wartime secur…
CHAPTER 38––The Upstart On April 18 (1940) whole source
In German propaganda broadcasts, William Joyce—dubbed “Lord Haw-Haw” from his sneering tone—had denounced German-Jewish perpetrators behind…
CHAPTER 38––The Upstart On April 18 (1944) whole source
Their plain, stoic, no-nonsense manner pleased the German puritanism he had imbibed from his mother. After a “doodlebug” attack on London in…
In comparing their later attitudes toward Germany (1934) whole source
In comparing their later attitudes toward Germany, Grunfeld would always stress that Siegmund had left Germany voluntarily, whereas he had f…
In comparing their later attitudes toward Germany (1935) whole source
Many members of his family were killed during the Third Reich. In 1935, three people told Grunfeld about the Dutch International Corporation…
In comparing their later attitudes toward Germany (1937) whole source
All three intermediaries later became Nazis and died in the war—an irony not lost upon the superstitious Siegmund and Grunfeld. During his l…
After two world wars (1931) whole source
After two world wars, hyperinflation, the 1931 banking collapse, and Adolf Hitler, Siegmund could never scrub past disasters from his mind.…
After two world wars (1936) whole source
He often told trainees that they never knew whom their client might be dining with that night. A striking case of this wisely democratic str…
In addition (1953) whole source
Warburg & Co. executives contend that no Brandeis, Goldschmidt files exist from before 1953. Paul Kohn-Speyer had effectively vetoed his son…
In addition (1946) whole source
After the Brandeis, Goldschmidt sale, he became a deeply depressed person, something of a misfit. In the drab atmosphere of 1946 Britain, he…
In addition (1943) whole source
During the war, Eric periodically stopped in London and noted the awesome strides being made by Siegmund. After one dinner in December 1943,…
On January 29 (1946) whole source
On January 29, 1946, The Times of London ran a minute three-line notice on the bottom of page seven. It said in its entirety: “The name of t…
CHAPTER 39––Our Aryan At the end of World War II (1933) whole source
It seemed that Hitler had won and that the Jewish community in Germany would shortly be extinct. Around the world Jews boycotted Volkswagens…
CHAPTER 39––Our Aryan At the end of World War II (1945) whole source
Max and Alice wanted Eric to make the sort of match that would have been suitable in Imperial Germany, but that seemed anachronistic in post…
CHAPTER 39––Our Aryan At the end of World War II (1946) whole source
“He was very constructive—always seeing the positive in life.”2 With Eric’s long history as a ladies’ man, Max and Alice pressed him to wrap…
In his talks with Siegmund (1938) whole source
In his talks with Siegmund, Brinckmann elaborated his own revisionist history and brazenly denied that the 1938 transfer had constituted a t…
In his talks with Siegmund (1931) whole source
In his talks with Siegmund, Brinckmann elaborated his own revisionist history and brazenly denied that the 1938 transfer had constituted a t…
Siegmund didn’t believe in collective guilt (1949) whole source
Carl H. Goldman.25 In December 1949, Siegmund made his first trip back to Hamburg, having recuperated from a small operation in Germany tha…
Siegmund didn’t believe in collective guilt (1933) whole source
We don’t allow people to park their cars here.”28 Things were soon straightened out and there were tearful reunions. But Anita could never f…
CHAPTER 40––Itinerant Preacher Jimmy Warburg didn’t have to... (1962) whole source
Freed from financial worry by Polaroid and several other shrewd investments, Jimmy could indulge his preferred maverick role of producing un…
CHAPTER 40––Itinerant Preacher Jimmy Warburg didn’t have to... (1949) whole source
Freed from financial worry by Polaroid and several other shrewd investments, Jimmy could indulge his preferred maverick role of producing un…
CHAPTER 40––Itinerant Preacher Jimmy Warburg didn’t have to... (1947) whole source
After two failed marriages and an explosively uneven career, Jimmy, fifty-two, tried to start afresh. In 1947, he was scouting about for a n…
As Eric began spending part of the year in Germany (1945) whole source
As the Warburgs began to challenge the legitimacy of the Aryanized name, Brinckmann must have felt rudely cheated of his miraculous gift. In…
As Eric began spending part of the year in Germany (1952) whole source
Without informing Eric or Brinckmann, he took the memo and convened a secret meeting of the bank’s shareholders—at least, those upset by Eri…
As the German economy thrived (1954) whole source
As the German economy thrived, the Hamburg bank posted impressive profits. Visiting Germany in early 1954, Siegmund wondered at the “monstro…
As the German economy thrived (1956) whole source
But so long as Schilling remained, Eric couldn’t implement his plan. Then, in September 1956, something unexpected happened: Schilling, wear…
Eric and his family moved into Noah’s Ark (1943) whole source
Eric’s childhood friend, Wolfgang Rittmeister, lived next door and they sailed again on the Baltic in the Kong Bele. (Wolfgang’s brother, Jo…
Eric and his family moved into Noah’s Ark (1968) whole source
(Wolfgang’s brother, John, a courageous psychiatrist, had been shot by Nazi thugs in 1943.) Kathi Schwärz, the farmer’s daughter who had pro…
Eric and his family moved into Noah’s Ark (1936) whole source
M. Warburg in 1936—became a postwar mayor, as did Max Brauer, who had bravely jumped from a window of Altona City Hall in 1933 and fled to A…
CHAPTER 41––Museum Pieces In 1941 (1941) whole source
CHAPTER 41––Museum Pieces In 1941, Frieda Schiff Warburg had a heart attack, which was delicately styled a “breakdown” by the family. It be…
CHAPTER 41––Museum Pieces In 1941 (1944) whole source
When Frieda moved into a duplex apartment at 1 East Eighty-Eighth Street, she couldn’t bear to see the old house razed. In 1944, on the seve…
CHAPTER 41––Museum Pieces In 1941 (1904) whole source
In 1944, on the seventy-third anniversary of Felix’s birth, she bequeathed the Gothic structure that her father feared would precipitate Man…
Kennan gains oversight of US clandestine operations whole source
Then the Holocaust convinced nearly all Jews of the need for a sovereign state. The American Warburgs were proud and jubilant when Israel de…
It was Carola who held together the Warburg family (1939) whole source
In many ways, the European socialism represented by Ben-Gurion and other early leaders pleased the Warburgs more than the conservative natio…
It was Carola who held together the Warburg family (1941) whole source
In many ways, the European socialism represented by Ben-Gurion and other early leaders pleased the Warburgs more than the conservative natio…
After the New Haven speech (1961) whole source
In the end, Jimmy won the fight. Afraid of losing its tax-exempt status, the UJA began to segregate political from charitable contributions…
After the New Haven speech (1942) whole source
Malvina may have been either lesbian or bisexual—according to which Warburg you talk to—and that, in turn, may have encouraged Bettina to th…
After the New Haven speech (1955) whole source
When Bettina snatched Sam away from Malvina after an extended romance and married him in 1942, there was a noisy ruckus among the Warburgs,…
CHAPTER 42––The Cousins Club Siegmund Warburg had the spark... (1947) whole source
In the early postwar years, he again pictured Western economies slouching toward Armageddon. After a New York visit in 1947, he told Fritz,…
CHAPTER 42––The Cousins Club Siegmund Warburg had the spark... (1921) whole source
In the early postwar years, he again pictured Western economies slouching toward Armageddon. After a New York visit in 1947, he told Fritz,…
CHAPTER 42––The Cousins Club Siegmund Warburg had the spark... (1923) whole source
In the early postwar years, he again pictured Western economies slouching toward Armageddon. After a New York visit in 1947, he told Fritz,…
When he wrote her from a Rome hotel at Christmas 1928, he... (1928) whole source
When he wrote her from a Rome hotel at Christmas 1928, he said nothing more than “Merry Christmas” and that she should give the children wha…
In 1928 and 1929, she met Aby and Bing when Aby returned to... (1928) whole source
In 1928 and 1929, she met Aby and Bing when Aby returned to his old “repair shop,” the Heinsheimer clinic in Baden-Baden, for cures.
In 1928, when Aby briefly considered his first American... (1928) whole source
In 1928, when Aby briefly considered his first American trip since the 1890s—a project vetoed by Dr.
Death of art historian Aby Warburg whole source
He died two days after the start of the 1929 Wall Street crash, which would shatter the false prosperity of the 1920s and usher in a world a…
Rosen, nicknamed “the famine angel of Russia (1903) whole source
Rosen, nicknamed “the famine angel of Russia.” After being jailed in Siberia for his Menshevik views, Rosen emigrated to the United States i…
Soviet crop failure triggers the 1921 famine whole source
Then, in 1921, Soviet crops failed, a disaster so colossal that the Joint set up soup kitchens there, and even the U.S.
Agro-Joint agreement with Soviets for Jewish colonies whole source
In 1922, he worked out an agreement with the Soviets to create loan co-ops and training schools for Jews and began to advocate an enormous c…
More Jews leave Palestine than arrive whole source
In 1927, the Zionist enterprise itself seemed in peril as more Jews left Palestine than arrived.
Hence, when Weizmann wooed Max in Berlin in 1928, he... (1928) whole source
Hence, when Weizmann wooed Max in Berlin in 1928, he proceeded in low-key style.
In late 1929 Communist party ideologists (including Jewish... (1929) whole source
In late 1929 Communist party ideologists (including Jewish ones) denounced the foreign bourgeois organizations behind the Agro-Joint, as the…
In 1921, Lola had married Rudolf Hahn, who came from a... (1921) whole source
In 1921, Lola had married Rudolf Hahn, who came from a powerful Jewish industrial family associated with the Warburgs.
Weizmann and his wife, the elegant, snobbish Vera, had... (1925) whole source
Weizmann and his wife, the elegant, snobbish Vera, had briefly separated in 1925.
When it got to Berlin in 1927, it was nearly bankrupt (1927) whole source
When it got to Berlin in 1927, it was nearly bankrupt.
Years later, while crossing a Zurich bridge, Weizmann... (1929) whole source
Years later, while crossing a Zurich bridge, Weizmann blurted out testily to Felix’s son, “I don’t see why you Warburgs think that Magnes is…
Britain limits Jewish immigration to Palestine whole source
When Hexter asked Felix if relief money could be used to arm Jewish settlers, “He said no, very firmly,” according to Hexter.44 The 1929 Ara…
Hexter, the University owes Felix Warburg and his... (1929) whole source
Hexter, the University owes Felix Warburg and his father-in-law so much for their generous gifts that we feel we can’t refuse anything he as…
Dating back to 1799, it had a large branch system with... (1799) whole source
Dating back to 1799, it had a large branch system with abundant deposits.
As in 1907, he felt duty-bound to act, even though he knew... (1907) whole source
As in 1907, he felt duty-bound to act, even though he knew he would be crucified.
While he harvested the distinctions of an illustrious... (1918) whole source
While he harvested the distinctions of an illustrious career, receiving honorary degrees from Heidelberg, New York University, and Occidenta…
Ironically, the 1929 crash, in a roundabout way, would... (1929) whole source
Ironically, the 1929 crash, in a roundabout way, would claim Paul as a victim, too, for it set in motion a sequence of events that would top…
Indeed, when the New York Fed’s board of directors voted to increase rates... whole source
When the New York Fed finally hiked interest rates in August 1929, Paul thought it had acted at least half a year too late.
In 1921, the new commerce secretary, Herbert Hoover, called... (1921) whole source
In 1921, the new commerce secretary, Herbert Hoover, called him to Washington and asked if he would become assistant secretary of commerce—a…
In late 1921, Jimmy and Kay moved to Riverside Drive so... (1921) whole source
In late 1921, Jimmy and Kay moved to Riverside Drive so Jimmy could enter the IAB as a junior officer.
One day in 1924, Jimmy and Kay were riding horseback in... (1924) whole source
One day in 1924, Jimmy and Kay were riding horseback in Greenwich, Connecticut, when they came to a lovely, maple-shaded colonial house name…
Libby Holman crooned one of their torch songs, “Can’t We Be... (1920) whole source
Libby Holman crooned one of their torch songs, “Can’t We Be Friends?” in the Little Show of 1920.
But they didn’t see how soon it would occur or that the... (1929) whole source
But they didn’t see how soon it would occur or that the 1929 crash would claim them, too, as indirect victims.
——The “Famous Five” brothers pose for a last photo at the... (1929) whole source
——The “Famous Five” brothers pose for a last photo at the Warburg library, August 21, 1929.
In 1928, the party had polled a scant 810,000 votes (1928) whole source
In 1928, the party had polled a scant 810,000 votes.
As he told Felix in 1929, “We must, under all... (1929) whole source
As he told Felix in 1929, “We must, under all circumstances, avoid an international battle against anti-Semitism, since we will otherwise na…
When Rudolf Hess came to town in 1929, he asked a local... (1929) whole source
When Rudolf Hess came to town in 1929, he asked a local Nazi to scout up some interested business leaders, but the man could only muster fiv…
In October 1930, Max sailed to New York to discuss the... (1930) whole source
In October 1930, Max sailed to New York to discuss the elections and the economic crisis with his brothers.
Petrified, Eric told his father that he wanted to flee the... (1931) whole source
Petrified, Eric told his father that he wanted to flee the sinking ship, but Max termed desertion out of the question.17 In early 1931, fear…
North German Wool collapse triggers German bank crisis whole source
On June 16, 1931, North German Wool failed, triggering a financial crisis as it dragged down German creditors, most notably the huge Danat B…
“It might be advisable to keep it alive just in case... (1932) whole source
“It might be advisable to keep it alive just in case Hitlerism makes living for the family so outrageously disagreeable that it might want t…
“I am convinced that what had destroyed his will to go on... (1932) whole source
“I am convinced that what had destroyed his will to go on living was that Max, for whom he had throughout his life felt a younger brother’s…
Twice in 1932, Felix sent Jimmy back to Hamburg to... (1932) whole source
Twice in 1932, Felix sent Jimmy back to Hamburg to straighten out the firm, and the two operated in a more bare-knuckled style than while Pa…
In late 1934, she went to Nevada to get a divorce from Jimmy (1934) whole source
In late 1934, she went to Nevada to get a divorce from Jimmy.
When Kay and Gershwin once entered a nightclub, Oscar... (1935) whole source
When Kay and Gershwin once entered a nightclub, Oscar Levant quipped, “Ah, here comes George Gershwin with the future Miss Kay Swift.”49 In…
He died of a brain tumor in July 1937 (1937) whole source
He died of a brain tumor in July 1937.
In 1926, he married the first of three wives: Jean... (1926) whole source
In 1926, he married the first of three wives: Jean Stettheimer, a very pretty, sociable Jewish woman from San Mateo, California, who loved h…
Jacob Schiff’s widow, Therese, spoiled her grandchildren... (1933) whole source
Jacob Schiff’s widow, Therese, spoiled her grandchildren terribly, leaving them, when she died in 1933, an estate of $4.6 million, plus a tr…
In 1946, he married a whole source
Whatever the case, he was almost fifty before he married the feisty Wilma Shannon in 1946.
From Felix, he had inherited La Belle Blonde Stradivarius,... (1711) whole source
From Felix, he had inherited La Belle Blonde Stradivarius, later swapping it with the Havemeyer family for the 1711 Duport Stradivarius, con…
(Kirstein’s father helped to form Federated Department... (1928) whole source
(Kirstein’s father helped to form Federated Department Stores aboard Walter’s yacht.) Along with John Walker III, Eddie and Lincoln rented s…
On a visit to Hamburg in the summer of 1929, he apparently... (1929) whole source
On a visit to Hamburg in the summer of 1929, he apparently found Aby an insupportable bore who lectured for hours on remote topics.
——The magnificent Stockholm wedding of Siegmund and Eva... (1926) whole source
——The magnificent Stockholm wedding of Siegmund and Eva Warburg, November 18, 1926, with two bridesmaids from Eva’s family.
In 1933, Eddie moved to New York and worked as a volunteer... (1933) whole source
In 1933, Eddie moved to New York and worked as a volunteer at MOMA, helping to found its film department and serving as its treasurer.
In late summer 1933, Lincoln Kirstein, just back from... (1933) whole source
In late summer 1933, Lincoln Kirstein, just back from Europe, raced up to see Eddie at Woodlands.
In December 1901, Georges married Lucie Kaulla, the... (1901) whole source
In December 1901, Georges married Lucie Kaulla, the daughter of a Stuttgart lawyer.
In 1923, Eric sailed for New York, planning to spend a year... (1923) whole source
In 1923, Eric sailed for New York, planning to spend a year in America.
In 1924, Eric set off on a train tour of the United States... (1924) whole source
In 1924, Eric set off on a train tour of the United States with his oldest Hamburg friend, Wolfgang Rittmeister.
He had a far more positive experience at the Evangelisches... (1479) whole source
He had a far more positive experience at the Evangelisches Seminar in Urach, where he was the first Jewish student to be admitted since its…
In 1916 Georges’s mental state worsened (1916) whole source
In 1916 Georges’s mental state worsened.
In 1919, Siegmund was seventeen and in a quandary about his... (1919) whole source
In 1919, Siegmund was seventeen and in a quandary about his future when uncle Max took things in hand.
In 1925, Siegmund apprenticed at N (1925) whole source
In 1925, Siegmund apprenticed at N.
On November 8, 1926, Eva and Siegmund were married in the... (1926) whole source
On November 8, 1926, Eva and Siegmund were married in the Golden Hall of the Grand Hotel in Stockholm in a huge society affair attended by t…
In 1927, the newly weds sailed for Boston, where Siegmund... (1927) whole source
In 1927, the newly weds sailed for Boston, where Siegmund worked for the accounting firm of Lybrand Ross Brothers & Montgomery.
By 1923, Siegmund, twenty-one, was corresponding with the... (1923) whole source
By 1923, Siegmund, twenty-one, was corresponding with the famous writer, having sent him a fan letter about his biography of Romain Rolland.
In January 1929, Eric became a partner along with Dr (1929) whole source
In January 1929, Eric became a partner along with Dr.
In 1930, he told historian Alfred Vagts that a German war... (1930) whole source
In 1930, he told historian Alfred Vagts that a German war against Russia would solve internal German problems and crises.28 In the Warburg d…
Eric joined a group called the Circle of Young Hamburgers,... (1931) whole source
Eric joined a group called the Circle of Young Hamburgers, which fought against the polarization of the late Weimar period.6 In September 19…
(Courtesy of Anita Warburg) In late 1931, Hamburg’s Jews... (1931) whole source
(Courtesy of Anita Warburg) In late 1931, Hamburg’s Jews were shaken by a series of cemetery desecrations, and community leaders sought an e…
Only at Bad Harzburg in October 1931 did major... (1931) whole source
Only at Bad Harzburg in October 1931 did major industrialists of the Ruhr and Rhineland flirt openly with the Nazis; Dr.
A remarkable benefactor of German culture, Jim had built a... (1932) whole source
A remarkable benefactor of German culture, Jim had built a new wing of the Murnau hospital in 1932 and was named an honorary citizen of the…
When the boycott officially ended on April 4, German Jews... (1933) whole source
When the boycott officially ended on April 4, German Jews felt great relief and Max thought they had survived the worst of Hitler.36 Because…
Angry and perplexed, he walked around muttering, “I am so... (1933) whole source
Angry and perplexed, he walked around muttering, “I am so ashamed that this has happened.”28 Upset by events, he spent much of February and…
As a member of the Reichsbank advisory board since 1924,... (1924) whole source
As a member of the Reichsbank advisory board since 1924, Max participated in the vote.
Max thought Schacht a smart, opportunistic blowhard who... (1929) whole source
Max thought Schacht a smart, opportunistic blowhard who overestimated his talents; Max also had never forgiven his cynical betrayal of Carl…
In 1931 Hitler said of him, “He is, in fact, enormously... (1931) whole source
In 1931 Hitler said of him, “He is, in fact, enormously skilled and enjoys great respect, even among the foreign, and especially among the J…
Even a forceful protest from Averell Harriman—who had, at... (1921) whole source
Even a forceful protest from Averell Harriman—who had, at Max’s behest, financed a transatlantic cable for the company in 1921—couldn’t save…
In early 1932, Hitler dispatched Wilhelm Keppler, the owner... (1932) whole source
In early 1932, Hitler dispatched Wilhelm Keppler, the owner of a small chemical factory, to court Hamburg business chieftains.
In his 1933 annual report, he told colleagues that they... (1933) whole source
In his 1933 annual report, he told colleagues that they should defend the bank as a fortress and that “no Board seat that is taken from us s…
He saluted Paul’s fine work at the Fed and stunning 1929... (1929) whole source
He saluted Paul’s fine work at the Fed and stunning 1929 prediction.
Warburg still owed the American Warburgs and the Bank of... (1931) whole source
Warburg still owed the American Warburgs and the Bank of the Manhattan considerable money from 1931, and Jimmy felt obligated to see the dre…
After Paul’s death, Jimmy had to rebuild the fortune... (1931) whole source
After Paul’s death, Jimmy had to rebuild the fortune frittered away in the 1931 rescue.
As he told Rabbi Stephen Wise in 1933, “Warburg, [Paul]... (1933) whole source
As he told Rabbi Stephen Wise in 1933, “Warburg, [Paul] Baerwald (of the Joint Distribution Committee) and others who have relatives in Germ…
On June 16, 1933, FDR told Ambassador Dodd, “The German... (1933) whole source
On June 16, 1933, FDR told Ambassador Dodd, “The German authorities are treating the Jews shamefully, and the Jews in this country are great…
Jimmy found himself at the center of a gathering debate as... (1933) whole source
Jimmy found himself at the center of a gathering debate as to how FDR should respond to Hitler, who also came to power in early 1933.
This odious potboiler claimed that after the 1929 crash,... (1929) whole source
This odious potboiler claimed that after the 1929 crash, Jewish bankers sent Sidney to Europe to deliver $8.5 million directly to Hitler and…
Then Jimmy received a message from Raymond Moley that... (1933) whole source
Then Jimmy received a message from Raymond Moley that changed his life: “Tell him [Warburg] it’s dead and bind up the wounds.”37 This foresh…
In June 1933, the Jewish War Veterans slipped an observer... (1933) whole source
In June 1933, the Jewish War Veterans slipped an observer into a rally of seven hundred people in Queens, New York, held in a swastika-drape…
In late 1934, he published a book, It’s Up to Us, that drew... (1934) whole source
In late 1934, he published a book, It’s Up to Us, that drew an analogy between the New Deal and the totalitarian states in Europe.
By late 1934, he insisted upon an end to the marriage to... (1934) whole source
By late 1934, he insisted upon an end to the marriage to Kay Swift, who got a Reno divorce.
In 1935, he published Hell Bent for Election, a tract that... (1935) whole source
In 1935, he published Hell Bent for Election, a tract that introduced the phrase “soak the rich” into the lexicon.
Brüning government imposes 25 percent flight tax whole source
In 1931, the Brüning government had imposed a 25 percent flight tax on capital shifted abroad and under the Nazis, these extortionate taxes…
After 1932, German citizens could only convert blocked... (1932) whole source
After 1932, German citizens could only convert blocked marks into other currencies at a steep discount that would skim off 96 percent of the…
Carl Melchior resigns from the BIS whole source
After all, I have been in the trenches now for twenty years.”7 In March 1933, Melchior resigned as a German representative to the Bank for I…
Ernst Cassirer becomes first Jewish rector in Germany whole source
In 1929 Ernst Cassirer rose to become its rector—the first Jew to achieve that distinction in Germany.
Warburg and the Berliner Handels-Gesellschaft—a reprise of... (1931) whole source
Warburg and the Berliner Handels-Gesellschaft—a reprise of Jimmy’s 1931 idea.
Nazi book burning at the Berlin Opera House whole source
On May 10, 1933, students hurled books by Mann, Einstein, Proust, and Freud on a pyre outside the Berlin Opera House, followed five days lat…
In 1932, he learned that the estate’s longtime steward,... (1932) whole source
In 1932, he learned that the estate’s longtime steward, Otto Sauter, had secretly run up crushing debts.
In March 1933, Siegmund went for a chat with Baron... (1933) whole source
In March 1933, Siegmund went for a chat with Baron Konstantin von Neurath, the German foreign minister.
In 1933, his uncle, Otto Kaulla, a retired Stuttgart judge,... (1933) whole source
In 1933, his uncle, Otto Kaulla, a retired Stuttgart judge, was roughed up by Nazi hooligans.
As Max told Felix in October 1933, “First and foremost... (1933) whole source
As Max told Felix in October 1933, “First and foremost Siegmund and Eric will manage the new company in London.”45 The ambitious Siegmund mu…
By August 1933, lawyers in London had drawn up papers for a... (1933) whole source
By August 1933, lawyers in London had drawn up papers for a new firm, and Max went to London to brief Lionel de Rothschild and the Barings.
(After arriving in London, Siegmund remained a Warburg... (1934) whole source
(After arriving in London, Siegmund remained a Warburg partner in Hamburg and Amsterdam, retaining personal liability there.) Submitting a n…
Clearly, a crusader such as Kurt couldn’t coexist with... (1932) whole source
Clearly, a crusader such as Kurt couldn’t coexist with Nazism, and when Hitler praised some SS men who murdered a young Communist in 1932, K…
In 1932, Wilfrid Israel talked to the poet and teacher,... (1932) whole source
In 1932, Wilfrid Israel talked to the poet and teacher, Recha Freier, about ways to counter the corrosive despair among Jewish youth.
Nazis arrest educator Kurt Hahn whole source
In March 1933, the Nazis arrested Kurt and forbid further contact between him and his students.
In 1927, she married Dr (1927) whole source
In 1927, she married Dr.
Then she turned to sculpture in 1928 after Max shipped her... (1928) whole source
Then she turned to sculpture in 1928 after Max shipped her off to Florence to break up a love affair.
In 1932, she and Gisi studied English at Somerville College... (1932) whole source
In 1932, she and Gisi studied English at Somerville College at Oxford.
As Ingrid said of the 1933 summer she and her family spent... (1933) whole source
As Ingrid said of the 1933 summer she and her family spent there, “More than ever, Kösterberg was like a tranquil island.”22 With its consol…
One morning in December 1933, as the mist rose from the... (1933) whole source
One morning in December 1933, as the mist rose from the Elbe below, Ingrid wrote a long, anguished letter to Adam, saying that their friends…
In the twilight reality of 1933, the terror had an eerie... (1933) whole source
In the twilight reality of 1933, the terror had an eerie way of intruding from the shadows then disappearing—as if nothing had happened.
The Communist Daily Worker told its readers that Max came... (1933) whole source
The Communist Daily Worker told its readers that Max came to the United States representing the Nazi government and was “rewarded handsomely…
On June 28, 1934, Max met with Franz von Papen to protest... (1934) whole source
On June 28, 1934, Max met with Franz von Papen to protest the treatment of Jews, and the vice-chancellor was charming, if noncommittal.
In July 1934, he met with Hitler in Bayreuth, where the... (1934) whole source
In July 1934, he met with Hitler in Bayreuth, where the Führer drank in inspiration at the Wagner festival.
With the Nazis preaching the need for Lebensraum (living... (1935) whole source
With the Nazis preaching the need for Lebensraum (living space) for Germany’s growing population, Max intended to argue that such population…
Nazi Germany enacts the Nuremberg Laws whole source
On September 15, 1935, the Nuremberg Laws repealed the entire history of Jewish emancipation and transported the community back to the Middl…
During the first eight months of 1935, Max met with Schacht... (1935) whole source
During the first eight months of 1935, Max met with Schacht ten times and many of these meetings must have revolved around foreign exchange.
Warburg hadn’t been able to remit interest payments on the... (1931) whole source
Warburg hadn’t been able to remit interest payments on the 1931 loan that Paul and Felix made to rescue the bank.
It seems that this possibility of the Foundation giving all... (1936) whole source
It seems that this possibility of the Foundation giving all of its funds for the purposes of the proposed bank was the last great chance whi…
Gestapo becomes supreme police organ of the Reich whole source
Bettina never publicized this heroic work and before her death destroyed all documents related to the effort, save a simple list of benefici…
After the 1934 “Night of the Long Knives” came a crackdown... (1934) whole source
After the 1934 “Night of the Long Knives” came a crackdown on homosexuality, which had been rampant in the SA.
In November 1936, the official organ of the Italian Fascist... (1936) whole source
In November 1936, the official organ of the Italian Fascist party, Fascista Regime, claimed that Felix Warburg and Kuhn, Loeb had bankrolled…
“Under these circumstances,” he said, “it is particularly... (1936) whole source
“Under these circumstances,” he said, “it is particularly admirable how Uncle Max keeps his balance and even his sense of humour.”50 What so…
This seemed to violate the parity agreed to in the 1929... (1929) whole source
This seemed to violate the parity agreed to in the 1929 “pact of glory,” and Felix felt betrayed.11 He found the committee chairman, David B…
To its everlasting shame, the United States would accept... (1933) whole source
To its everlasting shame, the United States would accept only 157,000 German Jews from 1933 to 1942—about the same number of Jews admitted i…
In 1934, he had spearheaded the Joint’s... (1934) whole source
In 1934, he had spearheaded the Joint’s three-million-dollar effort to resettle Jews there as honorary president of the Palestine Economic C…
5. AW. Family Correspondence 1887–1900. Report of female whole source
5. AW. Family Correspondence 1887–1900. Report of female visitor to Florence.
30. AW, Family Correspondence, 1887–1900, letter to Charl... whole source
30. AW, Family Correspondence, 1887–1900, letter to Charlotte Warburg, November 24, 1898.
19. AW Kopierbuch I Hamburg Transcript, p. 181 whole source
19. AW Kopierbuch I Hamburg Transcript, p. 181, letter to Max Warburg, February 1, 1906.
16. Philadelphia North American, April 12, 1911 whole source
16. Philadelphia North American, April 12, 1911.
24. EH. SI B144a F 4015, letter from whole source
24. EH. SI B144a F 4015, letter from Paul Warburg, July 22, 1913.
34. New York American, May 18, 1914 whole source
34. New York American, May 18, 1914.
25. MMW. “Albert Ballin File, November, 1912—December, 19... whole source
25. MMW. “Albert Ballin File, November, 1912—December, 1914.” Letter from Max Warburg to Jacob Schiff, April 30, 1913.
24. Leo Baeck Institute Year Book III, 1958 whole source
24. Leo Baeck Institute Year Book III, 1958, p. 296.
1. Leo Baeck Institute Bulletin, 1960, p. 182 whole source
1. Leo Baeck Institute Bulletin, 1960, p. 182.
30. JS. B440 F8, letter from Max Warburg whole source
30. JS. B440 F8, letter from Max Warburg, December 22, 1914.
31. JS. B440 F8, letter from Max Warburg whole source
31. JS. B440 F8, letter from Max Warburg, November 11, 1914.
28. JS. B440 F8, letter to Max Warburg whole source
28. JS. B440 F8, letter to Max Warburg, January 5, 1915.
6. Hamburger Echo, December 8, 1914 whole source
6. Hamburger Echo, December 8, 1914.
17. AW Kopierbuch 6 26(7) Hamburg Transcript, letter whole source
17. AW Kopierbuch 6 26(7) Hamburg Transcript, letter to Onkel Empel, August 9, 1914.
18. AW Kopierbuch 5 26(7) Hamburg Transcript, letter whole source
18. AW Kopierbuch 5 26(7) Hamburg Transcript, letter to Veth, September 2, 1914.
49. Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Percy Schramm Papers. “Aby Warburg whole source
49. Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Percy Schramm Papers. “Aby Warburg 1866–1929.”
10. AW Kopierbuch 6 26(7) Hamburg Transcript, letter whole source
10. AW Kopierbuch 6 26(7) Hamburg Transcript, letter to Aby S. Warburg, July 22, 1915.
5. AW Kopierbuch 6 26(7) Hamburg Transcript, letter whole source
5. AW Kopierbuch 6 26(7) Hamburg Transcript, letter to Wilhelm Hertz, October 1, 1916.
9. MMW MW. Letter from Max Warburg to whole source
9. MMW MW. Letter from Max Warburg to Albert Ballin, September 2, 1916.
3. MMW EW. “Memoir Extracts.” Letter from Eric whole source
3. MMW EW. “Memoir Extracts.” Letter from Eric Warburg to his parents, December 25, 1918.
2. MMW EW. “Memoir Extracts.” Letter from Eric whole source
2. MMW EW. “Memoir Extracts.” Letter from Eric Warburg to Max Warburg, January 27, 1919.
6. PW. SI B4 F57, letter to Colonel whole source
6. PW. SI B4 F57, letter to Colonel House, October 17, 1918.
1. Letter from Charlotte Warburg to unnamed gentleman whole source
1. Letter from Charlotte Warburg to unnamed gentleman, June 16, 1919. (Courtesy of Anita Warburg.)
2. Adler, Jacob H. Schiff, Vol. II, p whole source
2. Adler, Jacob H. Schiff, Vol. II, p. 209. Letter from Jacob Schiff to Max Warburg, August 26, 1919.
7. FW. B171 F19, letter from Walter Rothschild whole source
7. FW. B171 F19, letter from Walter Rothschild to Mr. Paul, May 15, 1916.
24. DS. Letter from Jacob Schiff to Max whole source
24. DS. Letter from Jacob Schiff to Max Warburg, August 26, 1919.
1. DS. Letter from Jacob Schiff to Max whole source
1. DS. Letter from Jacob Schiff to Max Warburg, January 19, 1920.
14. SF-LB. Letter from Binswanger to Freud, January whole source
14. SF-LB. Letter from Binswanger to Freud, January 7, 1920.
19. SF-LB, letter from Freud to Binswanger, November whole source
19. SF-LB, letter from Freud to Binswanger, November 3, 1921.
21. SF-LB, letter from Binswanger to Freud, November whole source
21. SF-LB, letter from Binswanger to Freud, November 8, 1921.
14. Report of the International Acceptance Bank, Inc whole source
14. Report of the International Acceptance Bank, Inc., January 20, 1925.
10. AW. Family Correspondence, letter from Albert Einstein whole source
10. AW. Family Correspondence, letter from Albert Einstein, September 10, 1928.
14. AW. Family Correspondence Folder 1928–1929, letter to whole source
14. AW. Family Correspondence Folder 1928–1929, letter to Mary Warburg, December 21, 1928.
15. AW. Family Correspondence Folder 1928–1929, letter to whole source
15. AW. Family Correspondence Folder 1928–1929, letter to Mary, Saxl, Wind, December 29, 1928.
1. Warburg, Letters to His Sons, letter to whole source
1. Warburg, Letters to His Sons, letter to Paul Felix and Edward Warburg, August 3, 1920.
2. YIVO-JR. Folder 17. “Minutes of the Meeting whole source
2. YIVO-JR. Folder 17. “Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee of Seven,” June 17, 1924.
12. FW. Nearprint File Paper, “May 15, 1927.” whole source
12. FW. Nearprint File Paper, “May 15, 1927.”
5. BW. Letter from Paul Warburg, November 21 whole source
5. BW. Letter from Paul Warburg, November 21, 1926.
6. BW. Letter from Paul Warburg, August 27 whole source
6. BW. Letter from Paul Warburg, August 27, 1926.
26. Schwartz, Gershwin, p. 188. (Edward Jablonski dates whole source
26. Schwartz, Gershwin, p. 188. (Edward Jablonski dates this from the March 1926 party.)
3. FW. B252 F4, letter from Max Warburg whole source
3. FW. B252 F4, letter from Max Warburg, June 26, 1929.
35. BW. Letter from Paul Warburg, June 28 whole source
35. BW. Letter from Paul Warburg, June 28, 1929.
13. FW. B266 F11, letter from Max Warburg whole source
13. FW. B266 F11, letter from Max Warburg, September 21, 1930.
16. Warburg, Letters to His Sons, letter to whole source
16. Warburg, Letters to His Sons, letter to Edward M.M. Warburg, November 27, 1928.
10. New York World Telegram, February 19, 1941 whole source
10. New York World Telegram, February 19, 1941.
15. MMW Ka IV, letter from Siegmund to whole source
15. MMW Ka IV, letter from Siegmund to Karl Warburg, November 2, 1923.
18. MMW Ka IV, letter from Siegmund to whole source
18. MMW Ka IV, letter from Siegmund to Karl Warburg, December 5, 1924.
21. MMW Ka IV, letter from Siegmund to whole source
21. MMW Ka IV, letter from Siegmund to Karl Warburg, January 3, 1928.
4. MMW. MW 49, letter from Max Warburg whole source
4. MMW. MW 49, letter from Max Warburg to Hans Meyer, October 22, 1931.
9. MMW. JW II, letter from Max to whole source
9. MMW. JW II, letter from Max to James Warburg, April 9, 1932.
11. MMW. MW F168 1932, letter from Max whole source
11. MMW. MW F168 1932, letter from Max to James Warburg, June 12, 1932.
53. CUOH-JW, p. 1628 whole source
53. CUOH-JW, p. 1628.
3. JW. Box 3, “Berliner Handels-Gesellschaft Merger Negot... whole source
3. JW. Box 3, “Berliner Handels-Gesellschaft Merger Negotiations 1/1/32–1/7/32,” letter to Siegmund Warburg, January 2, 1932.
4. The New York Times, January 25, 1932 whole source
4. The New York Times, January 25, 1932.
29. MMW. Fritz Akten, Paket 4, letter from whole source
29. MMW. Fritz Akten, Paket 4, letter from Otto Sauter to Siegmund Warburg, July 17, 1932.
1. MMW Ma VI, letter from Max Warburg whole source
1. MMW Ma VI, letter from Max Warburg to Martin Buber, October 1, 1933.
4. LBI-RDJ, letter from 3 Cologne Jews to whole source
4. LBI-RDJ, letter from 3 Cologne Jews to Max Warburg, August 24, 1933.
16. FW. B294 F16, letter from Dr. Walter whole source
16. FW. B294 F16, letter from Dr. Walter Derenberg, August 20, 1933.
7. Weizmann, Letters and Papers, Vol. XVI, pp whole source
7. Weizmann, Letters and Papers, Vol. XVI, pp. 276–77. Letter to Lola Hahn-War-burg, April 22, 1934.
9. Ibid., letter to Lola Hahn-Warburg, April 22 whole source
9. Ibid., letter to Lola Hahn-Warburg, April 22, 1934.
1. Der Stürmer, September 1934 whole source
1. Der Stürmer, September 1934.
3. FW. B297 F3, letter to Paul Baerwald whole source
3. FW. B297 F3, letter to Paul Baerwald, October 27, 1934.
4. FW. B307, letter to The Daily Worker whole source
4. FW. B307, letter to The Daily Worker, December 11, 1935.
4. FW. B328 F5, letter from Governor Herbert whole source
4. FW. B328 F5, letter from Governor Herbert H. Lehman to Franklin D. Roosevelt, November 1, 1935.
12. FW. B318 F7, letter to Chaim Weizmann whole source
12. FW. B318 F7, letter to Chaim Weizmann, October 10, 1935.
14. FW. B332 F11, letter to Chaim Weizmann whole source
14. FW. B332 F11, letter to Chaim Weizmann, August 18, 1936.
5. FW. B343 F5, minutes of April 29 whole source
5. FW. B343 F5, minutes of April 29, 1937, meeting of Joint Distribution Committee.
9. MMW. 1937 Annual Report whole source
9. MMW. 1937 Annual Report.
23. LBI-HS. Box 5, letter from Siegmund Warburg whole source
23. LBI-HS. Box 5, letter from Siegmund Warburg, January 27, 1938.
1. MMW Ma VI, letter from Edward M.M whole source
1. MMW Ma VI, letter from Edward M.M. Warburg to Max Warburg, June 21, 1938.
6. Der Stürmer, September 1938 whole source
6. Der Stürmer, September 1938.
22. LBI-JS. Siegmund G. Warburg Correspondence 1938–1949.... whole source
22. LBI-JS. Siegmund G. Warburg Correspondence 1938–1949. Letter from Siegmund G. Warburg, November 18, 1939.
6. The New York Times, January 29, 1941 whole source
6. The New York Times, January 29, 1941.
7. New York Herald Tribune, April 25, 1941 whole source
7. New York Herald Tribune, April 25, 1941.
8. JW. Box 16, “Harry G. Green 5/41,” whole source
8. JW. Box 16, “Harry G. Green 5/41,” letter to Senator Bennett C. Clark, May 8, 1941.
15. MMW. Kara Corp. 1938 “Agreement between Kara whole source
15. MMW. Kara Corp. 1938 “Agreement between Kara Corp. and the European Warburgs.”
16. MMW. Kara Corp. 1938–1946. Letter from Liebmann whole source
16. MMW. Kara Corp. 1938–1946. Letter from Liebmann to Dr. E. Spiegelberg and Hans Meyer, December 6, 1938.
22. MAW. Letter from Josi Warburg, July 22 whole source
22. MAW. Letter from Josi Warburg, July 22, 1945.
8. MMW. Kara Corp, 1938–1946 whole source
8. MMW. Kara Corp, 1938–1946.
2. MMW Ma VI, letter from Max to whole source
2. MMW Ma VI, letter from Max to Edward M.M. Warburg, July 13, 1939.
1. New York World Telegram, February 19, 1941 whole source
1. New York World Telegram, February 19, 1941.
1. MMW. EV, 1, letter from Eric Warburg whole source
1. MMW. EV, 1, letter from Eric Warburg to his parents, October 18, 1944.
3. MMW. EV, 1, letter from Eric to whole source
3. MMW. EV, 1, letter from Eric to Bettina and Nina Warburg, June 13, 1945.
5. MMW. EV, 1, letter from Eric to whole source
5. MMW. EV, 1, letter from Eric to Bettina and Nina Warburg, June 13, 1945.
2. LBI-HS. Siegmund G. Warburg Correspondence, 1938–1949.... whole source
2. LBI-HS. Siegmund G. Warburg Correspondence, 1938–1949. Letter from Siegmund G. Warburg, September 11, 1944.
16. LBI-HS. Siegmund G. Warburg Correspondence, 1938–1949... whole source
16. LBI-HS. Siegmund G. Warburg Correspondence, 1938–1949. Letter from Siegmund G. Warburg, September 11, 1944.
1. LBI-SGW-SZ. Letter from Siegmund G. Warburg to whole source
1. LBI-SGW-SZ. Letter from Siegmund G. Warburg to Stefan Zweig, May 14, 1941.
24. LBI-HS. Siegmund G. Warburg Correspondence, 1938–1949... whole source
24. LBI-HS. Siegmund G. Warburg Correspondence, 1938–1949, letter from Siegmund G. Warburg, October 1, 1949.
13. AD. Box 27, letter from Eric Warburg whole source
13. AD. Box 27, letter from Eric Warburg, October 3, 1946.
6. MMW. Fritz M. Warburg Akten. Paket 3 whole source
6. MMW. Fritz M. Warburg Akten. Paket 3. “Siegmund G. Warburg Folder.” Letter from Siegmund to Fritz Warburg, June 7, 1947.
55. MMW. EV, letter from Eric to Max whole source
55. MMW. EV, letter from Eric to Max Warburg, January 27, 1943.
2. JW. Box 21, Stevenson folder 1947–52, letter whole source
2. JW. Box 21, Stevenson folder 1947–52, letter to Adlai Stevenson, March 17, 1952.
10. JW. Box 15, Dwight D. Eisenhower 1948-March whole source
10. JW. Box 15, Dwight D. Eisenhower 1948-March 1953, undated letter to Milton E. Eisenhower.
16. FW. B336 F13. “Address at Briarcliff Lodge,” whole source
16. FW. B336 F13. “Address at Briarcliff Lodge,” September 25, 1937.
20. MMW. Fritz M. Warburg Akten. Paket 3 whole source
20. MMW. Fritz M. Warburg Akten. Paket 3, letter from Fritz Warburg to Hermann Brück, August 24, 1942.
21. Ibid., letter from Ernest Minden to Ingrid whole source
21. Ibid., letter from Ernest Minden to Ingrid Warburg Spinelli, August 19, 1952.
1. MMW. Fritz M. Warburg Akten. Paket 3 whole source
1. MMW. Fritz M. Warburg Akten. Paket 3. Siegmund G. Warburg Folder. Letter from Siegmund to Fritz Warburg, June 7, 1947.
4. MMW. Fritz Akten. Paket 3. Siegmund G whole source
4. MMW. Fritz Akten. Paket 3. Siegmund G. Warburg Folder, letter from Siegmund to Fritz Warburg, January 12, 1950.
2. Ibid., letter from Siegmund to Fritz Warburg whole source
2. Ibid., letter from Siegmund to Fritz Warburg, February 21, 1951.
8. LBI-HS. Siegmund G. Warburg Correspondence, 1938–1949.... whole source
8. LBI-HS. Siegmund G. Warburg Correspondence, 1938–1949. Letter from Siegmund G. Warburg, September 11, 1944.
22. MMW. Fritz Akten. Paket 3. Siegmund G whole source
22. MMW. Fritz Akten. Paket 3. Siegmund G. Warburg Folder, letter from Siegmund to Fritz Warburg, January 18, 1950.
30. The New Yorker, April 9, 1966 whole source
30. The New Yorker, April 9, 1966.
17. WW. Series III. B19 F139. Letter to whole source
17. WW. Series III. B19 F139. Letter to Siegmund G. Warburg, August 29, 1957.
18. Sir William Wiseman Papers. Series III. B19 whole source
18. Sir William Wiseman Papers. Series III. B19. F143. Note for Sir William Wiseman et al. from Siegmund G. Warburg, September 20, 1958; and…
21. International Management Digest, March 19, 1959 whole source
21. International Management Digest, March 19, 1959.
22. Ibid., memo of conversation between Eric Warburg whole source
22. Ibid., memo of conversation between Eric Warburg and Rudolf Brinckmann, June 20, 1960.
23. Ibid., letter from Eric Warburg to Rudolf whole source
23. Ibid., letter from Eric Warburg to Rudolf Brinckmann, October 18, 1960.
24. Ibid., letter from Rudolf Brinckmann to Eric whole source
24. Ibid., letter from Rudolf Brinckmann to Eric Warburg, November 3, 1960.
31. MMW Ka IV, letter from Siegmund to whole source
31. MMW Ka IV, letter from Siegmund to Karl Warburg, August 25, 1930.
1. WW. Series III. B18 F107, letter from whole source
1. WW. Series III. B18 F107, letter from John Schiff, January 13, 1959.
2. DS. Letter from Siegmund G. Warburg to whole source
2. DS. Letter from Siegmund G. Warburg to John Schiff, December 11, 1959.
6. Sharp, “Gloom,” February 1974 whole source
6. Sharp, “Gloom,” February 1974.
23. Business Week, November 23, 1974 whole source
23. Business Week, November 23, 1974.
26. The Times of London, February 18, 1978 whole source
26. The Times of London, February 18, 1978.
1. Institutional Investor, March 1980 whole source
1. Institutional Investor, March 1980.
8. Institutional Investor, March 1980 whole source
8. Institutional Investor, March 1980.
12. The Times of London, July 3, 1982 whole source
12. The Times of London, July 3, 1982.
22. JW. Box 21. Stevenson, September 1960-May 1965 whole source
22. JW. Box 21. Stevenson, September 1960-May 1965, letter from Adlai Stevenson to John F. Kennedy, December 30, 1960.
24. MMW. EX, letter from Jimmy Warburg to whole source
24. MMW. EX, letter from Jimmy Warburg to Eric Warburg, July 4, 1963.
23. MMW. Warburg Family Akten. Box 509, letter whole source
23. MMW. Warburg Family Akten. Box 509, letter from Eric Warburg to Hans Meyer, June 16, 1964.
Simon von Cassel founds the Warburg family whole source
the first certifiable ancestor appears in 1559, when Simon von Cassel moved from Hesse to the Westphalian town of Warburg, which was founded…
Peace of Westphalia severs inland German trade whole source
The Peace of Westphalia of 1648 severed sea access for the small German states, starving inland trade.
Gerson Warburg dies, forcing succession crisis whole source
When Gerson died in 1825, Moses Marcus faced a crisis that sporadically confronts every banking dynasty: he had no male heirs.
Sara marries her cousin Aby Samuel Warburg whole source
In 1829 they arranged for Sara to marry her queer-looking, slit-eyed second cousin, Aby Samuel Warburg, who thereby became a bank partner.
Moses Marcus Warburg dies in synagogue whole source
In 1831, Moses Marcus died of a stroke while in synagogue, leaving the firm to Aby and the spurned suitor, Elias.
1831 cholera epidemic sparks anti-Semitism whole source
During the 1831 cholera epidemic in Berlin, the Jews were again accused of poisoning the wells.
1842 blood libel accusation in Nuremberg whole source
In 1842, an inflammatory tract claimed the discovery of an oven and old bones in a Nuremberg synagogue basement, supposedly the remains of g…
Aby Warburg dies; Sara takes sole control whole source
The following June, Aby wrote a will, canceled his summer trip, then ascended, at age fifty-eight, to his second-class train compartment in…
Stock market crash of 1873 whole source
When flagrant excesses produced a stock market crash in 1873, the Warburgs suffered severe, but not crippling losses.
Young Aby Warburg contracts typhoid fever whole source
In 1873, Aby, age six, contracted typhoid fever and was confined to bed. High-strung and imaginative, Aby already alternated between uproari…
Marianne Warburg dies; Sara's grief whole source
By the time she spoke up, her illness was mortal, and she died in December 1882.
Sara Warburg, banking matriarch, dies at 79 whole source
In 1884, age seventy-nine, she died abruptly one morning—of a heart attack by one account, of a stroke while buttoning a shoe by another. Th…
Siegmund Warburg dies at Baden-Baden whole source
On May 13, 1889, he died of a heart attack at age fifty-four while staying at the Hotel Bellevue in Baden-Baden.
Kaiser Wilhelm I dies; Frederick III succeeds whole source
When the first Wilhelm died in March 1888, his successor, Frederick III, was already afflicted with terminal throat cancer. During a ghastly…
Max Warburg joins Bavarian cavalry regiment whole source
In October 1888, Max covered up his hearing defect and started military service with the 3rd Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment in Munich, Bava…
Max Warburg goes to Paris with Rothschild whole source
Moritz used his connection with the French Rothschilds to slip Max into a position as a secretary with Banque Impériale Ottomane in Paris in…
Hamburg cholera epidemic kills 8,000 whole source
That summer, a virulent cholera epidemic ran through Hamburg, claiming eight thousand lives.
Théophilie Warburg dies whole source
When she died in 1905, Aby S. took over the Alsterufer house.
Felix Warburg meets Frieda Schiff in Frankfurt whole source
Frieda was naïve and Felix very worldly when they met in Frankfurt on May 5, 1894.
Felix Warburg becomes Kuhn, Loeb partner whole source
in 1897 Felix was admitted to a Kuhn, Loeb partnership.
Paul Warburg marries Nina Loeb whole source
In October 1895, Paul and Nina were wed at the Loeb summer home on the New Jersey shore, only half a year after Felix and Frieda, while the…
Aby Warburg studies art in Florence whole source
In 1888, Aby studied in Florence and even did some freelance research on local museums for a revised Baedeker edition.
Olga Warburg marries Paul Kohn-Speyer whole source
After a Hamburg wedding in August 1898, Olga and her husband lived in a big corner house in Lennox Gardens in London.
Olga Warburg dies by suicide in Berne whole source
During the night, Olga grew suicidal and tried to jump from the window. She struggled with Alice and finally managed to overpower her friend…
Jim Loeb marries Toni Hambuechen whole source
In 1911, he moved to a vast, wooded estate called Hochried in the Bavarian town of Murnau, where he and Toni led a strange, reclusive existe…
Jim Loeb founds the Loeb Classical Library whole source
In 1910, he endowed the Loeb Classical Library, which during his lifetime produced 200 volumes of Greek and Latin literature in handy pocket…