Bernhard von Eskeles

Bernhard Freiherr von Eskeles (* January 12, 1753 in Vienna, † August 7, 1839 in Hietzing in Vienna ) was an Austrian banker.

Bernhard Eskeles was the son of a rabbi. He completed his training in Amsterdam. In 1773 he founded the banking house of Arnstein and Eskeles. He made a name for himself as a consultant Joseph II and Francis II Eskeles was co-founder in 1816 of the Austrian National Bank and became its director. In 1819 he was involved also in the establishment of the Austrian savings bank. Eskeles continued his private fortune, which was significantly increased by his marriage with Cecilia, born Izzy, Est Wulff, a daughter of Daniel Itzig, in order to borrow the Austrian State in the French wars of many millions. For this reason, he was raised to the knights and barons.

In his former palace, the Jewish Museum of Vienna is now housed. Eskeles was buried in the Jewish Cemetery Waehring.