Built / Designed For: Abraham Goldsmid

House & Family History: Morden Lodge was built for the financier and banker Abraham Goldsmid. Son of Aaron Goldsmid, a Dutch Jewish merchant who settled in England around 1763, Abraham and his brother Benjamin made a fortune in the London money markets during the Napoleonic Wars by securing British government loans. Abraham built Morden Lodge, complete with its rich Crace & Sons interiors, as a tangible sign of his success. The opening of his lavish house in 1806 was attended by 300 guests, including the Prince Regent. The house, however, had a short life. In 1810 Abraham, together with his partner, Barings Bank, suffered a devaluation of government scrip and Goldsmid was forced into bankruptcy. As a result of his financial collapse Abraham put a pistol to his head on September 28, 1810. His house, now tainted by his suicide, was demolished soon thereafter. Abraham's daughter, Isabel, married her cousin, Sir Isaac Lyon Goldsmid, 1st Bt., in 1804. In 1841 Sir Isaac became the first (unconverted to Christianity) Jewish baronet in English history. His son, Sir Francis Henry Goldsmid, 2nd Bt., was called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1833, becoming the first Jew to become an English barrister.

House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Destroyed

Past Seat / Home of: Abraham Goldsmid, 1806-10.

Current Ownership Type: Demolished

Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No