Ludwig von Stieglitz

Ludwig von Stieglitz, Russian: Людвиг Штиглиц (December 24, 1779 in Arolsen, Waldeck – March 18 [O.S. 6 March] 1843, Saint Petersburg) was Jewish Russian commersant and founder of banking house Stieglitz & Company. He was born as youngest of three sons of Waldeck county's court Jewish banker Hirsch Bernhard Stieglitz and his wife Edel Elisabeth (née Marcus). As a young man Stieglitz moved to Russia as a representative of his merchant house, and eventually was appointed court banker to the czar Alexander I, gaining influence and receiving various Russian decorations. After adopting Christianity he was raised to the dignity of a Russian hereditary baron on August 22, 1826 as Ludwig von Stieglitz.

Stieglitz continued as court banker to czar Nicholas I and took an active part in many financial affairs of his adopted country, investing in range of enterprises including steam navigation between Lübeck and St. Petersburg. He purchased the Estate of Gross-Essern in Courland, and on May 3, 1840 his name was inscribed in the register of the nobility of Courland. A contemporary has noted: "He was the German Rothschild of St. Petersburg, but in reality more; for he was not only rich in money, he was still richer in heart, and a noble benefactor in the best sense of the word."