Anthony Nathan (Billy) de Rothschild (1810-1876)
Anthony Nathan de Rothschild was born in New Court on 29 May 1810. After studying at the universities of Göttingen and Strasbourg, he served an apprenticeship to the family firm, spending time in both the Frankfurt and Paris houses, and became a partner in 1836. In 1840, he married Louise Montefiore (1821-1910).
Anthony was closely involved in the management of the Chemin de fer du Nord, the family's main railway interest, and also responsible for the running of the Royal Mint Refinery in London from 1852 when the London Rothschilds acquired the lease. Anthony became the first independent financial consultant to Edward, Prince of Wales. 'A free-spending gamester he tackled the root of the Prince's problem by raising his investment income and was able, blessed with 'the kindest heart and most generous nature' to make up any short-term deficiencies by discreet advances'. At his death the Queen wrote to Edward:'You will be very sorry for poor Sir Anthony Rothschild who was so very kind and loyal and so fond of you and a very good man.'
Anthony and Aston Clinton
Anthony lived at 107 Piccadilly after his marriage to Louise Montefiore until in 1851 he acquired an estate at Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, where the couple brought up their daughters Constance (1843-1931) and Annie (1844-1926). The large mansion at Aston Clinton was situated to the south-east of the village of Aston Clinton, and from 1854, Sir Anthony and Lady Louise began to make alterations to the house tpo the designs of the architect George Henry Stokes, assistant of Joseph Paxton (who had designed the great Rothschild house at Mentmore for Anthony’s brother Mayer Rothschild). They also endowed the village with public amenities for their tenants, including an infants school which Anthony built as a sixteenth birthday present for his daughter Constance at her request. Anthony was a keen countryman and he became owner of a number of successful racehorses including Carnelion and Coomassie.
Anthony was active in the Jewish community, strongly supporting the Jews' Free School, and serving as presiding warden of the Great Synagogue, from 1855 to 1875. When the United Synagogue was formed late in 1870, Anthony became the first president. He was granted a baronetcy in 1847, which passed to his nephew Nathaniel Mayer on his death on 3 January 1876. His daughter, Constance, said he was of a naturally bright and cheerful disposition, ready to make the best of everything.
