Welcome toThe Rothschild Archive'swebsite

Sources for business history: plans of New Court

Sources for art history: Catalogue of the pictures of Alfred de Rothschild 1901

Sources for yachting history: Plans for Nathaniel von Rothschild's yacht Veglia 1905

Sources for natural history: Walter 2nd Lord Rothschild and his zebra carriage: c.1910

Sources for global financial history: Map of lines of the Brazil Railway Company: c.1920

Sources for business history: index cards to bank files

Sources for social history: Rothschild Hospital Paris: 1920s

Sources for business history: detail of a Rothschild bond coupon

Sources for architectural history: Halton House: 1890s

Sources for the history of travel: Lionel de Rothschild's tours of Spain: 1909

Sources for local history: Tring Park: c.1900

Sources for Royal history: shooting party with Edward Prince of Wales: 1893

Sources for political history: Lionel de Rothschild: first Jewish MP: 1858

Sources for sporting history: St Amant winner of the Derby: 1904

Sources for local history: gardeners at Aston Clinton: 1899

Sources for Rothschild family history: Lionel de Rothschild's yacht Rhodora: 1927

Sources for London history: entrance to New Court: 1965

Sources for design history: plans for Lionel de Rothschild's Rolls-Royce: 1930

Sources for business history: Rothschild gold bars produced by the Royal Mint Refinery: 1930s

Sources for business history: letters of August Belmont Rothschild Agent in New York: 1860s

Rothschilds and 'The Alliance'

The Alliance British and Foreign Life and Fire Assurance Company Ltd commenced business on 23 March 1824 and was based at New Court for its first two years. Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836) was the leading force in the founding of the Alliance.

The Rothschild family were not only presidents, directors and shareholders in the Alliance over the generations: they were also policy holders. Ferdinand de Rothschild (1839-1898), the noted art collector who built Waddesdon Manor in the 1870s, insured his property with the Alliance, as did Alfred de Rothschild (1842-1918). The New Court premises of the bank were also insured with the Alliance by Lionel de Rothschild (1808-1879), Nathan’s son.

The firm of NM Rothschild & Sons worked with the Alliance Assurance Company in many ways. It was rumoured to be the first Lord Rothschild, Chairman of the Alliance and universally noted for his caution as a businessman and banker, who was instrumental in persuading the company to refuse to insure the Titanic, claiming it was ‘too big to float’.

Members of the Rothschild family on the Boards of The Alliance and Sun Alliance Assurance Companies

Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836)
President 1824-1836

Lionel de Rothschild (1808-1879)
Director 1836-1879

Anthony de Rothschild (1810-1876) 
Director 1842-1876

Nathaniel Mayer, 1st Lord Rothschild (1840-1915)
Auditor 1872-1876 
Director 1876-1885 
Chairman 1885-1915

Charles Rothschild (1877-1923) 
Director 1905-1915 
Chairman 1915-1920 
President 1920-1923

Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942)
Director 1924-1930 
Chairman 1931-1942

Anthony de Rothschild (1887-1961) 
Director 1942-1948 and 1956-1958 
Chairman 1949-1956

Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009)
Director 1956-1982

Leopold de Rothschild (1927-2012) 
Director 1982-1995

Amschel Rothschild (1955-1996)
Director 1995-1996

An Alliance share certificate signed by Nathan Mayer Rothschild 1824

An Alliance share certificate signed by Nathan Mayer Rothschild 1824

An Alliance Life and Fire Assurance receipt dated 26 March 1863 for Lionel de Rothschild MP (1808-1879)

An Alliance Life and Fire Assurance receipt dated 26 March 1863 for Lionel de Rothschild MP (1808-1879)