Oscar Wassermanns Leben und Werk

Oscar Wassermann was a German chemist and academic, born in 1864 in Berlin, Germany. He was a renowned expert in the field of organic chemistry.

Wassermann studied chemistry at the University of Berlin, where he later became a professor. His academic career was marked by a strong focus on research and teaching.

As a professor, Wassermann was known for his ability to inspire and mentor his students, many of whom went on to become prominent figures in the field of chemistry.

Oscar Wassermann started his career after completing his banking apprenticeship in Munich and Paris, where he joined the Berlin branch of the Bamberger Stammhaus in 1889.

He worked together with his cousin Max von Wassermann, and by 1900, they were leading the Berlin branch.

In 1898, Oscar Wassermann joined the Society of Friends, where he would later serve as president from 1924 to 1934.

He became a skilled trader, especially in the field of securities, which helped the Berlin branch of A. E. Wassermann surpass the main branch.

Oscar Wassermann was recruited by the Deutsche Bank in 1912 to lead its stock business, alongside Paul Mankiewitz.

He specialized in mortgages, which is why he represented the Deutsche Bank's interests in various supervisory boards of mortgage banks.

The Deutsche Bank invested in various industries, including the salt and shipping industries.

After World War I, Oscar Wassermann was part of the German financial commission led by Max Warburg, which negotiated the Versailles Treaty.

He maintained the Deutsche Bank's international relationships and was a member of the Reichsbank's general council, influencing the currency and monetary policy of the Weimar Republic.

In 1922, he proposed a plan to address the issue of reparations, but it didn't gain much recognition.

Oscar Wassermann served as deputy chairman of the Central Association of the German Banking and Banking Industry and as the speaker of the board of the Deutsche Bank from 1923 to 1933.

Under his leadership, the Deutsche Bank and the Disconto-Gesellschaft merged in 1929, creating a more efficient and rationalized banking system.

The Deutsche Bank was a significant part of Oscar Wassermann's life, as he rose through its ranks to become a prominent figure.

In 1912, the Deutsche Bank's leadership was impressed by Wassermann's success as the leader of its Berlin filiale, leading to his appointment to its executive board.

Wassermann's active involvement in Jewish organizations was not always well-received within the Deutsche Bank, which saw him as a potential liability.

As a result, Wassermann was eventually let go by the bank in 1933, marking the end of his illustrious career.

National Socialism had a significant impact on the Deutsche Bank, particularly in the early 1930s. The bank's executive board member, Wassermann, was unfairly targeted by violent antisemitic agitation, which ultimately led to his removal.

In 1933, the Hitler-Papen government took over, and Wassermann's position at the bank became untenable. He was identified as a "representative of Jewish high finance" and his removal was only a matter of time.

Wassermann was initially scheduled to preside over the annual general meeting of 1933, but his colleagues announced his retirement "on grounds of age" shortly before the meeting. This was likely a convenient excuse, given the growing antisemitic sentiment at the time.

Here are some key facts about Wassermann's situation:

The Deutsche Bank was founded in 1850 by the Wassermann family in Bamberg, Germany. It quickly became one of the most respected Jewish private banks in the country.

Oscar Wassermann, a prominent banker, was born in 1869 into a wealthy and influential family. He rose through the ranks of the Deutsche Bank, becoming a member of its executive board in 1912.

Wassermann's appointment to the executive board was likely due to his success as the leader of the bank's Berlin branch. However, his active involvement in Jewish organizations was not always well-received by his colleagues at the Deutsche Bank.

In 1923, Wassermann was appointed as the bank's speaker, a position that further solidified his influence within the organization. However, his tenure was cut short in 1933, when he was removed from the executive board amidst growing antisemitic sentiment in Germany.

Here are some key facts about Oscar Wassermann's time at the Deutsche Bank:

Oscar Wassermann's legacy is well-documented in several books and collections.

One notable book is "Gästebuch des jüdischen Bankiers Oscar Wassermann" by Nea Weissenberg and Sebastian Panwitz, published in 2023.

There are also two other books that provide valuable insights into Wassermann's life and work. "Oscar Wassermann und die Deutsche Bank" by Avraham Barkai, published in 2005, offers a comprehensive look at Wassermann's time as a board member of the Deutsche Bank.

"Juden in Bamberg" by Herbert Loebl, published in 1999, mentions Wassermann on page 308-313, providing a glimpse into his life in Bamberg.

Oscar Wassermann was a strong advocate for Judaism and Zionism, largely due to his strict orthodox upbringing.

He was the president of the German branch of the Jewish Palestine Work (Keren Hajessod, KH), an organization focused on land acquisition in Palestine.

Wassermann's main source of income for this work came from collecting donations from wealthy Jewish individuals he knew personally.

He was elected chairman of the German branch of the Jewish Agency in 1929, following his successful fundraising efforts.

Wassermann also served as the 2nd chairman of the board of directors for the Academy for the Science of Judaism, an organization he helped establish in 1919.

He played a key role in organizing fundraising campaigns for this academy and continued to participate in a Talmud study group until his later years.

Oscar Wassermann's family, including his daughters Karin and Hedwig and his wife Katharina, sold artworks from their collection at auction houses in the 1930s.

Some of these artworks are listed in the Lost Art Database, including a painting by Quentin Massys, "The Marriage Contract", which is now located in Brazil.

If you're interested in learning more about the literature surrounding Oscar Wassermann, a prominent figure in German banking history, I've got some great resources to share with you.

The book "Gästebuch des jüdischen Bankiers Oscar Wassermann, Vorstandssprecher der Deutschen Bank 1923-1933" by Nea Weissenberg and Sebastian Panwitz is a great place to start. This Berlin-based publication offers a unique perspective on Wassermann's life and career.

Another valuable resource is Avraham Barkai's "Oscar Wassermann und die Deutsche Bank. Bankier in schwieriger Zeit". This Munich-based book provides a comprehensive look at Wassermann's time as a board member of the Deutsche Bank.

For a more localized perspective, Herbert Loebl's "Juden in Bamberg. Die Jahrzehnte vor dem Holocaust" offers a detailed account of the Jewish community in Bamberg, including a mention of Wassermann on pages 308-313.