the world of private banking
the world of private banking
the world of private banking
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260<br />
THE WORLD OF PRIVAtE BANKING<br />
charities but also to local charities in <strong>the</strong> area around Windsor where he lived,<br />
notably a gift <strong>of</strong> five acres <strong>of</strong> land to Egham District Council for <strong>the</strong> erection <strong>of</strong> an<br />
isolation hospital. In recognition <strong>of</strong> his contributions to <strong>the</strong> welfare <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> locality<br />
he was presented with an illuminated address by <strong>the</strong> Corporation <strong>of</strong> Windsor<br />
on <strong>the</strong> occasion <strong>of</strong> his Golden Wedding in 1900. John Henry Schroder was on<br />
friendly terms with members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Royal Family, without seeking to merge into<br />
<strong>the</strong> English aristocracy as did members <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>banking</strong> houses. In 1892 Queen<br />
Victoria conferred a baronetcy upon him ‘as a mark <strong>of</strong> personal friendship and<br />
esteem, and for <strong>the</strong> help he had given to <strong>the</strong> household on matters <strong>of</strong> finance and<br />
accountancy’. 36<br />
His partner Henry Tiarks was similarly active in his local community in Kent.<br />
Though also Anglo-German by origin he became active in his local Anglican<br />
church. He was president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chislehurst and Cray Valley Medical and<br />
Surgical Aid Society, which administered a cottage hospital, <strong>the</strong> building <strong>of</strong> which<br />
he initiated in <strong>the</strong> 1880s and generously endowed. He was also active in local<br />
government and, like Schroder, in horticultural associations. 37<br />
John Henry was succeeded by his nephew, Bruno Schroder, who was born in<br />
Hamburg. He retained close links with Hamburg and was a generous benefactor to<br />
Hamburg charities. His German connections made him one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> victims <strong>of</strong> virulent<br />
anti-German sentiment in Britain during <strong>the</strong> First World War. This was intensified<br />
by <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> his benefactions: <strong>the</strong> endowment <strong>of</strong> a pr<strong>of</strong>essorship <strong>of</strong><br />
German at Cambridge University in 1910 and his charitable contributions to <strong>the</strong><br />
relief <strong>of</strong> German internees and prisoners <strong>of</strong> war in England, as well as <strong>of</strong> British<br />
prisoners <strong>of</strong> war in Germany. 38 To escape vituperation he retreated to his home<br />
in Surrey for most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> war, resuming work in <strong>the</strong> City after <strong>the</strong> Armistice. He<br />
remained active until <strong>the</strong> 1930s both in business and in philanthropy. In 1937, on<br />
his 70th birthday, he was presented with an honorary doctorate <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Medical<br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Hamburg in acknowledgment <strong>of</strong> his benefactions to <strong>the</strong> charities <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> city. His son and successor in <strong>the</strong> firm, Helmut, was <strong>the</strong> first <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family to<br />
marry an Englishwoman, Meg Darell <strong>of</strong> Gloucestershire, in 1930. The wedding<br />
was marked by <strong>the</strong> presentation <strong>of</strong> a radio set to every blind person in <strong>the</strong> county,<br />
at a cost <strong>of</strong> £10,000. 39<br />
Conclusion<br />
These examples suggest <strong>the</strong> vast total sums flowing in charity from City<br />
businessmen and <strong>the</strong>ir colleagues in o<strong>the</strong>r countries. Their more general impact<br />
upon <strong>the</strong> recipients or upon social conditions – perhaps even upon politics<br />
36<br />
Ibid., p. 113.<br />
37<br />
Ibid., p. 113.<br />
38<br />
Ibid., p. 119.<br />
39<br />
Ibid., p. 263.