Barnato Barnett [Barney]

Notes:

Barney Barnato, d1887, arrived in South Africa in 1873 and with his brother, Harry, established Barnato Brothers to deal in diamonds; they were successful but long term became associated with sharp practice. They emerged as major diamond merchants and promoters/financiers of diamond mining companies, acquiring their first mining interest in 1876; by early 1880s had stakes in several important companies. Set up a London branch of Barnato Brothers in 1880 and also Barnato Bank Mining & Estates Co Ltd in 1894 which sold securities connected with South Africa. In later 1880s their extensive interests in diamond mines came to focus on Kimberley Central Diamond Mining Co Ltd which, after contest, in 1888 merged with the interests of Cecil Rhodes to form De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. 1889 formed Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Co Ltd which emerged as a leading South African gold mining business. Remained active in diamond and gold mining in the 1890s until Barnato's suicide in 1897