#6117, Hermann Ludvig ECKSTEIN

Hermann, the son of a Lutheran minister, was educated at Hohenheim University and spent his life investing in and regulating gold mining in South Africa. He became the first President of the Chamber of Mines in Johannesburg and held that post until 1892. 'The Corner House' by A P Cartwright sums up Hermann's enormous contribution to the early history of South Africa as follows:

"What the people of Johannesburg liked about Eckstein was the courage he had shown in bad times. Nothing ever shook his faith in the future of the mines and he ranks today as one of the founders of the industry. he was, for the first five years of its existence, Johannesburg's first citizen. Men of his generation were afterwards to claim that, had he been living in the stormy years that were to come, his diplomacy and his great influence in the affairs of the South African Republic might have succeeded in averting the armed conflict that is the saddest chapter in our history."

Mystery surrounds the fact that Hermann, the most meticulous of men, left no will. It is suggested that his brother Sir Friedrich Eckstein somehow managed to channel part of his wealth in his own direction. Sir Friedrich married Catherine Mitchell in 1890 and acquired Ottershaw Park, Surrey in 1910.  For an account of Sir Friedrich's life see John Athersuch's book below.

John Athersuch in The Ecksteins of Birkach includes the following comment:

The Randlords  

In the late Victorian and Edwardian periods a number of predominately middle-class German capitalists gained control of gold mining on the Witwaterstrand and were some of the wealthiest men of their time.  As a result the British press coined the soubriquet of 'Randlords.'  Because of their penchant for much sort after London residences they were also referred to by some as Park Lane Millionaires and Gold Bugs. Their elaborate entertainments, fantastically bejewelled wives and their frantic social efforts were mockingly portrayed in a West End hit of the time called The Girl of Kays.  Hermann chose to acquire a property in his native Stuttgart rather than in London and in 1889 purchased a beautiful property at 175 Silberburgstrasse. (The street was almost completely destroyed in WWII).  As we shall see Hermann's brother Friedrich, or rather his wife, fitted very well into this society.

 Many, but not all, of the Randlords, were even by standards of the day, greedy exploiters of workers and manipulative of governments and the press alike.  Hermann was one of the exceptions and by contrast had a reputation for integrity and sound business dealing and was considered the most prominent and dependable among all goldmine owners.  He was a deeply respected and impressive figure with a pleasant bearded face.  He dressed like a London stockbroker in smart, well-cut clothes but on hot days exchanged his bowler hat for a pith helmet with a blue silk hatband.  He spoke both German and English, the latter with a commanding guttural German accent and was an influential personality in the Johannesburg community.  He was  described as human, lovable and dynamic, with a skill in 'frenzied negotiations' while still maintaining an equable temperament.

By joining Wernher and Beit, Hermann was among the ranks of the Randlords and he would have rubbed shoulders with many influential people in the world of finance, diamonds and gold including Cecil Rhodes, Prime Minister of Cape Colony from 1890 to 96 and President Kruger, President of Transvaal.  Although Herman became very rich this in itself did not give him any pleasure.  In fact the press recorded that his growing wealth was repugnant to him.