Background
He was born Barnett Isaacs in London, where his father had a prosperous business in the famous East End open market along Petticoat Lane. His mother was related to the distinguished lawyer, Sir George Jessel.
He was born Barnett Isaacs in London, where his father had a prosperous business in the famous East End open market along Petticoat Lane. His mother was related to the distinguished lawyer, Sir George Jessel.
Barney was sent to the Jews’ Free School, the best Jewish school in London, but showed little inclination learning. His childhood was dominated by two loves — boxing and the theater. He appeared with his brother Henry in the music halls a comedian conjurors known as the Bamato Brothers and the name stuck.
In 1873 he went to the South African diamond center of Kimberley during the diamond rush, but when he arrived the industry was experiencing a slump. Work was har 'to find and Barnalo got a job with the local circus by challenging a fierce, mustachioed boxer to a fight. Despite his physical disadvantage he knocked out his opponent. He then went through his London stage repertoire ending by standing on his hands and reciting Hamlet’s soliloquy “To be or not to be” (Shakespeare and fancy waistcoats were his abiding passions). However, his job with the circus ended quickly when he told a joke about diamonds — they were no laughing matter and the audience walked out.
He soon became involved in Kimberley’s social life and for a time ran a theatrical company. Then he began to work in the diamond industry and gradually learned its many facets. Together with his brother, he was able to buy diamond claims at a time when many thought the supply of diamonds was coming to an end.
Barnato believed, contrary to the popular view, that deep digging would reveal more diamonds and eventually was proved right. His four claims in the center of a great mine brought him a fortune. Seven years after his arrival in South Africa, he and his brother founded the "Barnato Mining Company", which soon rivaled the greatest company, "Cecil Rhodes’ De Beers". The two engaged in keen competition until 1888, when Barnato entered into a profitable amalgamation with De Beers.
He next turned to finance and became a member of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. He was highly successful in the new Rand gold mines, doing much to promote the development of the new town of Johannesburg. He was elected to the legislative assembly and his speeches, characterized by a cockney wit and common sense, were popular, even with his opponents.
In 1895 his commercial skills saved the Rand from a serious economic depression. However, the greater his success, the more he became depressed. Finally, while on a sea voyage to England, he jumped overboard while in a state of frenzy, and drowned.
Quotations:
BARNATO’S WIT
During a debate in the South African parliament, Barnato told a story to show the absurdity of the Cape liquor laws, which prohibited the sale of liquor on Sundays unless accompanied by a substantial meal. He related that one Sunday when he was hot and thirsty he had entered a respectable hotel for a drink. The landlord placed before him a bottle of beer and a leg of pork, the only food available. Barnato asked the House: “What was I supposed to do? If I ate the pork, I broke the law of Moses. If I drank the beer without eating, I broke the law of the land. Between the Chief Rabbi and the Chief Justice, I was in a very awkward situation.”