Joseph Seligman

Joseph Seligman (1819–1880) was a German-American banker and businessman who founded J. & W. Seligman & Co. and helped finance American railroads and government debt.

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Jesse Seligman: An American banker who led J. & W. Seligman & Co. after his brother Joseph’s death. Joseph’s brother and successor carried the family firm into its next generation.
Baiersdorf: A town in Bavaria, Germany, historically home to a Jewish community. Seligman was born in this Bavarian town.
Railroad bond: A debt security issued by a railroad company to raise money for construction or operations. Seligman’s firm helped finance railroad expansion through bond underwriting and sales.
J. & W. Seligman & Co. building: The Manhattan headquarters associated with the Seligman banking firm, designed by Francis H. Kimball. The firm’s headquarters gave a lasting architectural presence to the institution Joseph founded.
James Seligman: An American banker and one of the founders of J. & W. Seligman & Co. Joseph founded the firm with his brother James.
German American immigration: Migration from German-speaking lands to the United States, especially during the nineteenth century. Seligman’s migration formed part of a large German-speaking influx into the United States.
United States Treasury bond: A debt security issued by the U.S. federal government to finance public spending. Seligman’s firm helped market federal bonds during and after the Civil War.
Anti-Jewish discrimination in the United States: Prejudice and unequal treatment directed at Jewish people in American society and institutions. The Grant administration’s reported refusal of Seligman’s White House access became a notable episode of discrimination.
Abraham Lincoln: The 16th president of the United States, who led the Union during the Civil War. Seligman’s firm became a major buyer and distributor of Union government bonds.
New York City: The largest city in the United States and a major center of commerce and finance. Seligman established his American business and banking career in New York.