Bernard Friedrich Eckstein was the son of Friedrich Gustav Jonathan Eckstein who became wealthy through gold mining activities in South Africa. Bernard lived at his father’s home in Park Lane, London, later at Ottershaw Park, Surrey and finally Oldlands Hall, Fairwarp, Sussex. He was educated at Eton, graduated from Trinity College Oxford, and served in the army during WWI rising to rank of Captain. He joined his father in numerous enterprises in Sudan and South America and accumulated great wealth which he spent on collecting works of art many of which were bequeathed to national institutions on his death.
His London residence from 1932 was 25 South Street, designed by E. B. Musman, and decorated in a style said to combine elements of classicism with jazz-moderne .The somewhat risqué relief over the porch was designed by Reid Dick. He was also a big game hunter. He was a kind and benevolent man who gave generously to Fairwarp church and its parishioners.
2024: John Athersuch is writing a book about the Eckstein family and has kindly provided the above paragraphs. More information at .
Frederick (1857 - 1930) was created a baronet in 1929 in recognition of his services to the Empire and to the Sudan. Bernard continued working in the Sudan and inherited the title but, with no wife nor children, it died with him.
Sir Eckstein bequeathed some items to the who record "painter/draughtsman; military/naval; collector; British; Male; 2 November 1894 - 10 May 1948."
2025: John Athersuch published "The Ecksteins of Birkach: A collective biography". This is a magnificent production, with thorough research and many images. It tells not just of the Ecksteins but of that class at that period. Copies available from John Athersuch's gmail account. We've not spelt it out here for the robots to find; you can construct it, we're sure.
This photo is from Athersuch's book. It's an enlargement of a group photo used there with permission from Trinity College Oxford.
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