Herbert Stern, 1st Baron Michelham

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.

The Right Honourable The Lord Michelham KCVO
Born	28 September 1851
Died	7 January 1919 (aged 67)
Occupation	Banker
Parent(s)	Hermann de Stern
Relatives	David de Stern (paternal uncle) Sydney Stern, 1st Baron Wandsworth (cousin)

Background

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.

Career

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 Hellingley 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]

Personal life

Lord Michelham died in Paris in January 1919, aged 67, and was succeeded by his son, Herman.[1]

References

1. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1922). "Michelham, Herbert Stern, 1st Baron" . Encyclopædia Britannica (12th ed.). London & New York: The Encyclopædia Britannica Company.
2. tbheritage.com Plucky Liege
3. "No. 27818". The London Gazette. 18 July 1905. p. 4981.
4. "No. 27871". The London Gazette. 5 January 1906. p. 107.
5. "No. 28596". The London Gazette. 5 April 1912. p. 2495.

Sources

Orbell, John. "Stern family (per. c.1830–1964)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/53820. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)