Financier. Born in Alzei, Rhensih, Prussia he started his banking career early by working at the entry level for the prominent House of Rothchilds at the tender age of fourteen, working his way up to positions in Frankfort and Naples then becoming their American representative in New York in 1837. His time in America proved fruitful; he advanced in his position and entered high society, became an American citizen and married the daughter of Commodore Matthew Perry of Newport, Rhode Island. He entered politics as consul general of Austria at New York in 1844; he resigned this position six years later in protest of Austria’s political position against Hungary. In 1853 he served at The Hague, first as Charge-de Affaires then as the resident American Minister. He returned to the United States in 1858 and resumed his lucrative career in banking and politics, which took him to the Democratic National Convention as a delegate in support of Stephen Douglas in 1860. He was later named Chairman of the democratic National Committee and was a very strong supporter of the Union during the Civil War. He used his considerable influence in the banking trade to sway opinions of merchants in England and France to the Union cause. He remained as chairman of the National Democratic Committee until 8 years prior to his death. In 1867 the first “Belmont Stakes” horse race took place in Jerome Park, New York. Older than both the Kentucky Derby as well as the Preakness Stakes race, the grueling endurance run remains a prestigious event to this day and a permanent jewel in horse racing’s “Triple Crown”. His sons, August Belmont (the Younger) and Perry Belmont were pillars of political and financial society with the former following much in his fathers footsteps and the latter studying law and serving in the United States Congress.

Financier. Born in Alzei, Rhensih, Prussia he started his banking career early by working at the entry level for the prominent House of Rothchilds at the tender age of fourteen, working his way up to positions in Frankfort and Naples then becoming their American representative in New York in 1837. His time in America proved fruitful; he advanced in his position and entered high society, became an American citizen and married the daughter of Commodore Matthew Perry of Newport, Rhode Island. He entered politics as consul general of Austria at New York in 1844; he resigned this position six years later in protest of Austria’s political position against Hungary. In 1853 he served at The Hague, first as Charge-de Affaires then as the resident American Minister. He returned to the United States in 1858 and resumed his lucrative career in banking and politics, which took him to the Democratic National Convention as a delegate in support of Stephen Douglas in 1860. He was later named Chairman of the democratic National Committee and was a very strong supporter of the Union during the Civil War. He used his considerable influence in the banking trade to sway opinions of merchants in England and France to the Union cause. He remained as chairman of the National Democratic Committee until 8 years prior to his death. In 1867 the first “Belmont Stakes” horse race took place in Jerome Park, New York. Older than both the Kentucky Derby as well as the Preakness Stakes race, the grueling endurance run remains a prestigious event to this day and a permanent jewel in horse racing’s “Triple Crown”. His sons, August Belmont (the Younger) and Perry Belmont were pillars of political and financial society with the former following much in his fathers footsteps and the latter studying law and serving in the United States Congress.

Bio by: R. Digati