Michel Emmanuel Rodocanachi

Michel Emmanuel Rodocanachi (1821 - 1901) was an influential Greek trader and banker of London. Rodocanachi's parents were wealthy merchants in their home at Chios, related to the influential Vlasto and Mavrogordato families. They escaped the Chios massacre, settling in Marseilles where they rebuilt their shipping and trading business as Rodocanachi Sons & Co. Recognising the importance of having a presence on the London market, in 1830 they sent... more

Michel Emmanuel Rodocanachi (1821 - 1901) was an influential Greek trader and banker of London. Rodocanachi's parents were wealthy merchants in their home at Chios, related to the influential Vlasto and Mavrogordato families. They escaped the Chios massacre, settling in Marseilles where they rebuilt their shipping and trading business as Rodocanachi Sons & Co. Recognising the importance of having a presence on the London market, in 1830 they sent their son Michael there to cover their interests and work with other family members who traded grain in Odessa, St Petersberg, Italy & Marseille. In 1853 he returned to Marseilles to marry Ariadne Michael Petrocochino. In London he obtained membership of the Baltic Exchange and, assisted by other members of the Greek diaspora, notably the Ralli Brothers, he bought ships to transport the grain that he traded, and developed a property portfolio, including the Royal Automobile Club Buildings Co. This financial foundation enabled him to set up... less