Meyer Guggenheim - Biography

Meyer Guggenheim (February 1, 1828 – March 15, 1905) was the patriarch of what became known as the Guggenheim family. He was born in Lengnau, Aargau, Switzerland, was of German Jewish ancestry and emigrated to the United States in 1847. He started out in the importing business, but made his and his family's fortune (which was one of the largest fortunes of the 19th century) in mining and smelting. He and his wife Barbara had ten surviving children. Five of his seven sons were active in the family businesses:

Isaac (1854–1922),
Daniel (1856–1930), head of the family after his father's death, who was the most active of his sons in developing and acquiring worldwide mining interests,
Murry (1858–1939), originally in the lace and embroidery import business and by 1881, involved in mining and smelting,
Solomon Robert (1861–1949), a supporter of modern art through his foundation and donations to the Museum of Modern Art,
(John) Simon (1867–1941), a one-term senator from Colorado

Two other sons were Benjamin (1865–1912), who died in the Titanic disaster, and William.