James Armand de Rothschild (1878-1957)

Baron Edmond de Rothschild’s elder son, was his father’s foremost follower. In his youth he was attracted to rather non-traditional pursuits: he preferred horse racing to banking and sailed to far-off Australia to live as a simple worker unprotected by the shield of the famed House of Rothschild. When James returned to France, he joined the Rothschild banking firm in Paris and, at 35, married Dorothy Pinto, the 18-year-old daughter of a distinguished Jewish family in England.

James’ father introduced him to Chaim Weizmann, a rising star on the Zionist horizon; the two established a close personal and working relationship. During the First World War, James first served with the French army; later he joined the British army and was dispatched to Palestine, where he was promoted to the rank of major. Towards the war’s end he became involved in recruiting volunteers for the Jewish regiments under General Allenby and was awarded a medal for outstanding service.
Like his father, James was captivated by the Zionist effort and its people. In 1924, the Baron appointed him President of the Palestine Jewish Colonization Association (PICA). A devoted supporter of the Zionist venture, James initiated major projects including the establishment of The Hebrew University.

As a member of the British parliament during 16 important years, James de Rothschild was able to do much for the Yishuv. After the death of Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 1934, James took it upon himself to continue his father’s work.