Mayer Amschel Rothschild, born Mayer Amschel Bauer on February 23, 1744 in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany – died there on September 19, 1812 was the founder of the Rothschild family banking empire that would become one of the most successful business families in history. He changed his name to Rothschild (Red Shield in english) from the red shield that was the official house sign and thus logotype of the family business, a bank and a brothel, founded by his father Moses.

Much of the early Rothschild fortune and rise to prominence was built on business dealings with the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, also known as William IX. William had inherited what was purported to be among the largest fortunes in Europe and enventually came to depend substantially on Mayer for managing this fortune, particularly during and after the invasion and conquest of the area by Napoleon.

His father was Moses Amschel Bauer On August 29, 1770 he married Gutlé Schnapper (1753-1849). They had the following children:

1. Schonge Jeannette Rothschild (born August 20, 1771 - died in 1859)
2. Amschel Mayer (born June 12, 1773 - died December 6, 1855)
3. Salomon Mayer (born September 9, 1774 - died July 127, 1855)
4. Nathan Mayer (born September 16, 1777 - died on July 18, 1836)
5. Isabella Rothschild (born July 2, 1781 - died in 1861)
6. Babette Rothschild (born August 29, 1784 - died March 16, 1869)
7. Kalmann (Karl) Mayer (born April 24, 1788 - died March 10, 1855)
8. Julie Rothschild (born May 1, 1790 - died June 19, 1815)
9. Henriette ("Jette") (1791-1866) married Sir Moses Montefiore (1784-1885)
10. James Mayer Rothschild (1792-1868)

Mayer Amschel Rothschild is buried in the Battonnstrasse cemetery in Frankfurt, Germany.