Among the successful early Rothschilds was Nathan Mayer Rothschild, who moved to Manchester, England, to set up a textiles ...

With Nathan’s shrewd investments, he was able to grow his family’s fortune. As Mayer and his sons began their career in Frankfurt, they soon established branches in London, Paris, Vienna, and Naples.

After Napoleon invaded, he fled to Denmark after entrusting Mayer with a substantial portion of his wealth. Rothschild funneled the money to Nathan in England, who earned a handsome return and ...