The Guggenheim family ( ) is an American family of Swiss origin known for making their fortune in the mining industry, in the early 20th century, especially in the United States and South America. After World War I, many family members withdrew from the businesses and became involved in philanthropy, especially in the arts, aviation, medicine, and culture.

History

thumb|left|[[Meyer Guggenheim and his seven sons. Meyer is in the center of the group. From left to right, are: Benjamin, Murry, Isaac, Daniel, Solomon, Simon and William]]

Meyer Guggenheim, a Jew from the Swiss town of Lengnau, arrived in the United States in 1847. His surname derived from the name of the Alsatian village of Gougenheim. He married Barbara Meyer, whom he met in the United States. Over the next few decades, their 11 children and their descendants became known for global successes in mining and smelting businesses, under the name Guggenheim Exploration, including the American Smelting and Refining Company. In 1882, with seven of his sons already involved in the family businesses, Meyer organized M. Guggenheim's Sons, which was later reorganized as Guggenheim Brothers. In the early 20th century, the family amassed one of the largest fortunes in the world.

Following World War I, it sold its global mining interests and later purchased nitrate mines in Chile. Subsequently, the family largely withdrew from direct involvement in running businesses. Family members became known for their philanthropy in diverse areas such as modern art, aviation, and medicine. They donated funds to develop Guggenheim Museums, the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory, and the Guggenheim Pavilion at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, designed by I. M. Pei. Another family vehicle, Guggenheim Investment Advisors, oversees about $50 billion in assets.

Family tree

thumb|[[Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 5th Avenue, Manhattan]]

Meyer Guggenheim (1828–1905) married Barbara Meyer, of German Jewish descent, in 1852. They met in the United States. They had 11 children together, including eight sons, five of whom were active in the family businesses: Isaac, Daniel, Maurice ("Murry"), Solomon Robert, and (John) Simon Guggenheim. Sons Benjamin, Robert, and William pursued other careers. The daughters were Jeanette, Rose, and Cora. Meyer's 11 children, their spouses, and notable descendants are shown below:

  • Meyer Guggenheim (1828–1905), m. Barbara Meyer (1834–1900) (m. 1852 – her death)
  • Isaac Guggenheim (1854–1922), m. Carrie Sonneborn (1859–1933) (m. 1876 – his death)
  • Beulah V. Guggenheim (1877–1960), m. William I. Spiegelberg
  • Edyth B. Guggenheim (1880–1960), m. Louis M. Josephthal, future admiral and founder of Josephthal & Co.
  • Audrey Josephthal (1903–2003) m. Cornelius Ruxton Love Jr. (died 1971)
  • Helene Guggenheim (1886–1962)
  • m. Edmund L. Haas (m. 1905; div.)
  • m. Corlette Glorney
  • Edmond A. Guggenheim (1888–1972), m. Marion Price (1888–1992)
  • Lucille Guggenheim (1894–1972), m. Frederic Adam Gimbel (1891–1996), div.
  • Solomon R. Guggenheim (1861–1949), founded the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation; m. Irene M. Rothschild (1868–1954), daughter of Victor Henry Rothschild (m. 1895 – his death)
  • Eleanor Mary Guggenheim (1896–1992), m. Arthur Stuart, 7th Earl Castle Stewart (1889–1961) (m. 1920 – his death)
  • David Stuart, Viscount Stuart (1921–1942)
  • Robert Stuart, Viscount Stuart (1923–1944)
  • Arthur Stuart, 8th Earl Castle Stewart (1928–2023)
  • Andrew Stewart, 9th Earl Castle Stewart (born 1953)
  • The Honorable Simon Stuart (1930–2002)
  • Gertrude R. Guggenheim (1898–1966)
  • Barbara Josephine Guggenheim (1904–1985), married John Lawson-Johnston of the family producing Bovril
  • Peter Lawson-Johnston, President Guggenheim Museum, founder Guggenheim Partners
  • Jeanette Guggenheim (1863–1889), m. Albert M. Gerstle (1860–1896)
  • Nettie Gerstle (1889–?)
  • Benjamin Guggenheim (1865–1912), died in the Titanic disaster; m. Florette Seligman (1870–1937) (m. 1895 – his death)
  • Benita Rosalind Guggenheim (1895–1927)
  • Marguerite "Peggy" Guggenheim (1898–1979), founded the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice
  • m. Laurence Vail (div. 1928)
  • Michael Cedric Sindbad Vail (1923–1986), m. Margaret Angela Vail (m. 1957 – his death)
  • Karole Vail (1959–)
  • Pegeen Vail Guggenheim (1925–1967)
  • m. Jean Hélion (1904–1987) (m. 1946; div. 1956)
  • Fabrice Hélion
  • Nicolas Hélion
  • m. Milton S. Waldman (m. 1923; div. 1930)
  • m. Denys King-Farlow (Hugh St. Denys Nettleton King-Farlow) (m. 1930; div.)
  • John King-Farlow (1932–2002)
  • William Guggenheim Jr. (1907–1947), m. Elizabeth Newell (1913–2004) (m. 1937–his death) [she later m. William J. Broadhurst]
  • William Guggenheim III (1939–2023)
  • m. Grace Embury (1940– ) (div.)
  • Maire Embury Guggenheim (born 1962)

References

Further reading

  • Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation
  • Guggenheim Partners, LLC