Frederick Alexander Szarvasy (20 February 1875 – 3 July 1948) was a Hungarian-born British financier. He became one of the leading financiers and industrialists in Britain.[1]

Life

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Frederick Szarvasy was born in Hungary, then a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was the son of Alexander Szarvasy, a banker.[2] After spending some time in South America, he arrived in London around 1901 and worked for Montagu Oppenheimer.[2]

Szarvasy quickly rose to prominence and gained a reputation for salvaging companies that were undermined by excessive debt.[3] When Dunlop Rubber faced bankruptcy in 1921, Szarvasy was appointed as chairman and managing director.[3]

Szarvasy was described by an American trade magazine as "the most daring and successful financier in London" in 1923.[4]

Szarvasy played a leading role in the foundation of Imperial Airways in 1924.[5]

Szarvasy acquired United Anthracite Collieries from Lord Melchett in 1928.[5] As such, he gained control of 80 percent of the South Wales anthracite supply.[6]

Szarvasy died suddenly at his London home on 3 July 1948.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "SZARVASY, LEADER IN GOAL INDUSTRY: British Financier Who Had a Wide Range of Interests Dies in His Late 60's". New York Times. 5 July 1948. p. 15.
  2. ^ a b Francis Goodall, ‘Szarvasy, Frederick Alexander (1875–1948)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 14 July 2014
  3. ^ a b Judy Slinn (1 January 1993). Clifford Chance: Its Origins and Development. Granta Editions. p. 105. ISBN 978-0-906782-98-9.
  4. ^ American Industries, Volume 24 Front Cover National Association of Manufacturers, 1923 p43
  5. ^ a b "MR. F. A. SZARVASY". The Manchester Guardian. 5 July 1948. p. 6.
  6. ^ "The Anthracite Coal Combine". the Economist. London, England. 15 Sep 1928. p. 468 – via The Economist Historical Archive, 1843–2010.
  7. ^ Aberdeen Journal. 5 July 1948. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)