Quick Facts
Biography
Meyer Guggenheim (February 1, 1828 – March 15, 1905) was the patriarch of what became known as the Guggenheim family.
Biography
He was born in Lengnau, Aargau, Switzerland on February 1, 1828. He was of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry and emigrated to the United States in 1847. He started out in the importing business, but made his and his family's fortune (which was one of the largest fortunes of the 19th century) in mining and smelting.
Guggenheim invested in silver mines of the Leadville mining district of Colorado. From mining he expanded into ore smelting, also in Colorado, then built a number of smelters across the US and in northern Mexico. As his sons grew up, they took leading roles in the family mining and smelting business.
Guggenheim and his wife Barbara had ten surviving children. Five of his seven sons were active in the family businesses:
- Isaac (1854–1922)
- Daniel (1856–1930), head of the family after his father's death, who was the most active of his sons in developing and acquiring worldwide mining interests
- Murry (1858–1939), originally in the lace and embroidery import business and by 1881, involved in mining and smelting
- Solomon Robert (1861–1949), a supporter of modern art through his foundation and donations to the Museum of Modern Art
- (John) Simon (1867–1941), a one-term senator from Colorado
His other two sons were Benjamin (1865–1912), who died in the Titanic disaster, and William.