Herbert Stern, 1st Baron Michelham

Stern was the son of Hermann de Stern, a German-born banker, head of the merchant bank Stern Brothers (London) and Portuguese baron, and Julia Goldsmid.[1] He was the first cousin of Lord Wandsworth and Sir Edward Stern.

On his father's death Stern inherited the Portuguese barony and a fortune of £2 million, which he substantially increased during his lifetime. He was a prominent philanthropist, and notably contributed to the National Gallery. During the First World War he acquired Hotel Astoria in Paris to be used as a hospital for British troops.[1] He was also involved in thoroughbred horse racing and is known for having bred Plucky Liege, one of the most important broodmares of the 20th century.[2] Stern was created a Baronet, of Strawberry Hill in the Parish of Twickenham and County of Middlesex, in July 1905[3] and raised to the peerage as Baron Michelham, of Hellingley in the County of Sussex, in December of the same year.[4] Lord Michelham was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1912.[5]

Lord Michelham died in Paris in January 1919, aged 67, and was succeeded by his son, Herman.[1]

Orbell, John. "Stern family (per. c.1830–1964)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/53820. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)