David Sassoon (October 1792 – 7 November 1864) was a Baghdadi Jewish merchant and philanthropist in Ottoman Iraq. David Sassoon served as the treasurer of Baghdad between 1817 and 1829. Sassoon was the founder of the Sassoon family and the founder of David Sassoon and Sons, which later became David Sassoon & Co., a trading company owned by his family. Sassoon's success as a merchant, in which opium played a key role, made him known as the "Merchant Prince of Bombay". Sassoon also used his wealth for various philanthropic and architectural projects.

Early life and career

David Sassoon was born in 1792 in Baghdad, Ottoman Empire. was a wealthy businessman, who had also served as the chief treasurer to the pashas (the governors of Baghdad), and served as the president (Nasi) of the city's Jewish community. His father also held the honorific title of Sheikh. His mother was Amam Gabbai and Sassoon was one of seven children. Originally, Sassoon acted as a middleman between British textile firms and the Persian Gulf's commodity merchants. By the 1830s, Sassoon had become one of the wealthiest people in India. thumb|David Sassoon (seated) and his sons [[Elias David Sassoon|Elias David, Albert Abdallah and Sassoon David.]]

Sassoon began searching for opportunities in China during the 1840s. In 1844, his son Elias, opened a David Sassoon & Co. branch office in Hong Kong. His company, David Sassoon & Co., opened an office in The Bund, in Shanghai's British concession, by 1845.

Sassoon, in his business, developed a lucrative triangular trade. In the triangular trade, Indian opium and cotton was brought to China, in return for which Sassoon received silver, tea and silk. Sassoon also capitalized on an opportunity that presented itself due to the American Civil War. Due to the American Civil War, American cotton exports to Lancashire's textile mills were interrupted. This led Sassoon to expand his textile business to include exports of cotton and cotton yarn. Sassoon's achievements earned him a reputation within the Jewish community in Asia as someone who would offer employment to any Jew in need. In Bombay, Sassoon continued to dress and have the manners of Baghdadi Jews; however, Sassoon's sons were allowed by him to adopt English manners. In 1853, Sassoon became a British subject, and signed his Oath of Allegiance to Queen Victoria in Hebrew due to his poor command of English; however, he was still based in Pune. In Bombay, Sassoon first lived on 9 Tamarind Street and later with his family, moved to Byculla where he lived in Sans Souci, the former palace of Shin Sangoo. Sassoon's Sans Souci home was later donated to the Parsi Trust and later became the Masina Hospital.

His son Albert moved to London, England, in 1874, became a Baronet and married into the Rothschild family. His other grandson, Edward Sassoon also served as a Member of the House of Commons.

Philanthropy and legacy

right|210px|thumb|Tomb of David Sassoon, [[Ohel David Synagogue (Lal Deval), Pune, India]]

alt=Historical image of Sassoon Hospital in Pune|thumb|Sassoon Hospital, Pune in around 1875

Sassoon used his wealth to undertake various philanthropic initiatives and architectural projects. Sassoon also established a school, a Mechanics' Institute, a library and a convalescent home in Pune. Through his wealth and philanthropic initiatives, Sassoon became the leader of the Jewish community of Bombay by the 1860s.

Sassoon's businesses and philanthropic institutions helped him develop a social, educational and commercial network for Jewish immigrants in Bombay.

  • Sassoon Building of Elphinstone Technical High School, Mumbai
  • The Victoria and Albert Museum

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Image:Sassoon family tree.jpg|Family tree of the Sassoon family

Image:Sassoon Docks.jpg| Sassoon Docks, in Mumbai

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See also

  • Sassoon family
  • David Sassoon & Co.
  • E.D. Sassoon & Co.
  • History of opium in China

References

  • Chiara Betta 'Marginal Westerners in Shanghai: the Baghdadi Jewish community, 1845-1931' in Robert Bickers and Christian Henriot New Frontiers: imperialism's new communities in East Asia, 1842-1953 (Manchester University Press 2000: pp.&nbsp;38–54), p.38ff.
  • Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Sassoon family
  • Biography from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
  • Jewish Encyclopedia.com
  • David Sasoon in the Jewish Encyclopedia