Person    | Male  Born 7/12/1865  Died 7/12/1930

Sir Otto Beit

Categories: Industry, Philanthropy, Race Issues

Countries: Germany

Financier, philanthropist, and art connoisseur. Born Berlin. Younger brother to Alfred and made his fortune the same way: mining diamonds. Came to London in 1896 and took British citizenship. Governor and benefactor to Imperial College of Science & Technology where he founded the Beit Fellowships for Scientific Research. Died at home at 49 Belgrave Square on his birthday.

2021: The Guardian reported that Imperial College's independent history group investigated the college's historical links to the British empire. The subsequent report has flagged up concerns over endowments from Alfred and Otto Beit and Julius Wernher, three of the college’s most important financial donors, due to the oppressive treatment of the largely Black migrant workers in the diamond and goldmines from which they made their fortunes. One recommendation is that the university rename buildings named after the Beit brothers.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Sir Otto Beit

Commemorated ati

Sir Otto Beit

"The munificence of his benefactions" - we just don't write plaques like that...

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Other Subjects

Alfred Beit

Alfred Beit

Co-founder and funder (with Sir Julius Wernher) of the Royal School of Mines building. Born Hamburg, learnt the diamond trade in Amsterdam and went to Kimberley where he met Wernher and Cecil Rhod...

Person, Industry, Philanthropy, Race Issues, Africa, Germany, South Africa

1 memorial
James Leathart

James Leathart

Born Alston, Cumberland. Lead manufacturer and art collector. He worked for the company of Locke, Blackett & Co. In Newcastle for most of his career, eventually becoming sole managing partner. ...

Person, Industry

1 memorial
Thames Tunnel Mill

Thames Tunnel Mill

London's docks were badly damaged by bombing during WW2, but managed a resurgence during the 1950s. The 1970s however, saw the introduction of container ships which were too large to be handled in ...

Building, Industry

1 memorial
William George Armstrong

William George Armstrong

Born Newcastle. Armaments manufacturer and industrialist.  Developed the hydraulic accumulator.

Person, Industry

2 memorials

Previously viewed

Highgate School Gates

Highgate School Gates

N6, North Road, Highgate School

See Highgate School - Cholmeley House for information about the School.

2 subjects commemorated
Robert Fabian

Robert Fabian

Robert Honey Fabian was born in Lewisham. He joined the police in 1921 and rose to the rank of Detective Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police. We wonder if he managed to keep his middle name s...

Person, Emergency Services, Literature

1 memorial
Royal Free Hospital - development

Royal Free Hospital - development

WC1, Gray's Inn Road, Royal Free Hospital

The spelling of "honor" is not a mistake on our part.

12 subjects commemorated