Raoul Gradis was a French painter, composer and shipowner.
Occupation
painter, ship-owner, philanthropist
Position held
president
Citizenship
France
Born
June 15, 1861
Died
June 18, 1943
Overview
Raoul Gradis (15 June 1861 – 18 June 1943) was a French painter, composer and shipowner.
Origins
Raoul Gradis was the son of Moïse Henri Gradis (1823–1905) and Hanna Claire (Brandame) Gradis (1835–1925).
His family was Jewish, and had probably moved to Bordeaux from Portugal around 1495. From 1685 onward the Gradis family was a wealthy line of merchants and shipowners.
They corresponded with all the main markets of Europe, and were prominent in trade between France and the Caribbean, Canada and the United States.
From before the French Revolution the family was recognized as leaders of the French Jewish community.
The family company David Gradis & fils traded in wines, spirits and fabrics.
The Gradis house received important privileges, particularly in Martinique and Saint Domingo, in return for their services to the state.
Raoul's father Henri Gradis, who was deputy mayor of Bordeaux, wrote a history of Bordeaux and several literary works.
Early life
