Sir Ernest Oppenheimer (22 May 1880, born in Pietersbeg, South Africa), was a diamond, gold mining and financial entrepreneur, and founder of the Anglo American Corporation of South Africa. May 22 is the 142nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (143rd in leap years). ... 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... For other uses, including the shape â—Š, see Diamond (disambiguation). ... General Name, Symbol, Number gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 6, d Appearance metallic yellow Atomic mass 196. ... Anglo American plc is a world-wide group of companies, originally founded in South Africa as a mining enterprise but now extending into other areas. ...

He was the son of Edward Oppenheimer, a cigar merchant. Oppenheimer began his working life at 17, when he entered Dunkelsbuhler & Company, a diamond brokerage in London. His efforts impressed his employer and in 1902, at the age of 22, he was sent to South Africa to represent the company as a buyer in Kimberley. Four cigars of different brands (from top: H. Upmann, Montecristo, Macanudo, Romeo y Julieta) An airtight cigar storage tube and a guillotine-style cutter A cigar is a tightly rolled bundle of dried and fermented tobacco, one end of which is ignited so that its smoke may be drawn into... For other uses, see London (disambiguation). ... 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... A company is, in general, any group of persons, which are known as its members, united to pursue a common interest. ... Kimberley is a town in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. ...

He was succeeded in the business by his son Harry Oppenheimer. Harry Frederick Oppenheimer (28 October 1908 – 19 August 2000), was a prominent South African businessman and one of the worlds richest men. ...

See also

• De Beers

The De Beers Group is a Johannesburg and London-based diamond mining and trading corporation. ...

External links

• Sir Ernest Oppenheimer @ South African History Online
• History of Sir Ernest beginnings @ De Beers