Origins & Early Life

Sir James Michael Goldsmith (26 February 1933 – 18 July 1997) was a French-British financier and politician who was a member of the Goldsmith family. His controversial business and finance career led to ongoing clashes with British media, frequently involving litigation or the threat of litigation. In 1994 he was elected to represent a French constituency as a Member of the European Parliament. He founded the short-lived Eurosceptic Referendum Party in the United Kingdom, which became an early campaigner for opposition to Britain's membership of the European Union.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Born in Paris, Goldsmith was the son of luxury hotel tycoon and former Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Major Frank Goldsmith and his French wife, Marcelle Mouiller, and younger brother of environmental campaigner Edward Goldsmith. Frank Goldsmith had previously changed the family name from the German Goldschmidt to the English Goldsmith. The Goldschmidts, neighbours and rivals of the Rothschild family, were a wealthy, Frankfurt-based, Jewish family that had been influential in international merchant banking since the 16th century. James's great-grandfather was Benedikt Hayum Goldschmidt, founder of...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolph Caesar — Contemporary (Born in 1933) (1933): Acclaimed American actor known for his deep voice and Off-Broadway staple status.
• Akihito — Contemporary (Born in 1933) (1933): 125th Emperor of Japan; reigned during the Heisei era (1989-2019).
• Arno Allan Penzias — Contemporary (Born in 1933) (1933): Pioneering radio astronomer known for discovering cosmic microwave background radiation.
• Allen Ginsberg — Contemporary (Died in 1997) (1997): Pioneering American poet, central figure of the Beat Generation, known for 'Howl'.
• Asa Butterfield — Contemporary (Born in 1997) (1997): English actor known for roles in 'Sex Education' and early film recognition.
• Bethany Antonia — Contemporary (Born in 1997) (1997): British actress and singer known for roles in fantasy and television dramas.
• Arsène Houssaye — Shared historical date (02-26 · Died) (1896): French novelist, poet, and man of letters, active from the 1830s to the 1890s.
• Edward G. Robinson Jr. — Shared historical date (02-26 · Died) (1974): American actor known for his stage and screen performances throughout the 1930s to 1970s.
• Antoine Watteau — Shared historical date (07-18 · Died) (1721): Pioneering Rococo master, credited with inventing the genre of fêtes galantes.
• Benito Juárez — Shared historical date (07-18 · Died) (1872): Pioneering Indigenous President of Mexico, champion of Liberal reforms and the Republic.
• 1933 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1933
• February 26 (02-26) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 26
• 1997 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1997
• July 18 (07-18) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 18