The Lord Michelham | |
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Born | 28 September 1851 |
Died | 7 January 1919 | (aged 67)
Occupations |
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Parent | Hermann de Stern |
Relatives |
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Herbert Stern, 1st Baron Michelham KCVO (28 September 1851 – 7 January 1919), known as Sir Herbert Stern, Bt, between July and December 1905, was a British financier, philanthropist and a member of the Stern banking family.
Stern was the son of Hermann de Stern, a German-born banker, head of the merchant bank Stern Brothers (London) and Portuguese baron, and Julia Goldsmid.[1] He was the first cousin of Lord Wandsworth and Sir Edward Stern.
On his father's death Stern inherited the Portuguese barony and a fortune of £2 million, which he substantially increased during his lifetime. He was a prominent philanthropist, and notably contributed to the National Gallery. During the First World War he acquired Hotel Astoria in Paris to be used as a hospital for British troops.[1] He was also involved in thoroughbred horse racing and is known for having bred Plucky Liege, one of the most important broodmares of the 20th century.[2]
Stern was created a Baronet, of Strawberry Hill in the Parish of Twickenham and County of Middlesex, in July 1905[3] and raised to the peerage as Baron Michelham, of Hellingly in the County of Sussex, in December of the same year.[4]
Lord Michelham was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1912.[5]
Lord Michelham died in Paris in January 1919, aged 67, and was succeeded by his son, Herman.[1]