Abraham Wertheim

Born in Amsterdam to an affluent and well-established family, Abraham Carel Wertheim apprenticed as a banker under his uncle, also named Abraham Wertheim. After establishing himself in the Dutch financial sector, the younger Wertheim became a prominent industrialist, helping develop the Dutch rail system. In addition, Wertheim opened several multinational enterprises to the Amsterdam market, most notably connecting Dutch finance to bonds issued by rail companies in the United States. An active philanthropist, Wertheim supported public welfare organizations as well as arts and cultural institutions in Amsterdam, especially theaters. He also served as a liberal politician, first at the provincial level and later in the country’s senate.