Meyer, Baron de Hirsch

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MEYER, BARON DE HIRSCH

MEYER, BARON DE HIRSCH (1900–1974), lawyer, banker, and philanthropist. Born in Wisconsin, he lived in Miami from 1925.

In 1933, with Harry Lipton, he established the Miami Beach Federal Savings and Loan, known later as Financial and Federal, as well as the Dade Federal, which Lipton took over. These federally backed firms were an important factor in revitalizing Florida's economy. Meyer and his business associate Leonard Abess controlled the City National Bank Corporation and held real estate interests all over the state.

In addition to his successful business involvements, Baron de Hirsch Meyer was active in general communal activity and in almost all Jewish organizations and institutions. He was among the founders of Mount Sinai Hospital on Miami Beach, which he served as president, then as board chairman and chief fundraiser for many years.

[Gladys Rosen]

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