James Michael Goldsmith (1933-1997), English-French industrialist and financier, achieved international renown as a corporate raider after a successful career in manufacturing and distributing consumer products.

James Michael Goldsmith was born in Paris, France, on February 26, 1933, to Frank Goldsmith, manager of a luxury hotel chain and former British Parliament member, and Marcelle Mouiller Goldsmith. Tycoon, the title of Goldsmith's biography, reported that he is a descendant of the Goldschmidts, German Jewish bankers of Frankfurt, and of French Catholics on his mother's side. Seeking greater freedom and opportunities, his wealthy grandfather left Germany and settled in England; his father was educated at Oxford, was elected to Parliament, and served in World War I. However, anti-German views in England caused the father to lose his parliamentary seat, and the family moved to France. During World War II the family fled France to escape from the Nazis and lived in the Bahamas...