Antoine Odier

Antoine Odier (15 May 1766 – 19 August 1853) was a French banker and politician. He was born in the Republic of Geneva but moved to France and was naturalized during the French Revolution (1789–99). He was involved in the Indian cotton trade before founding a banking house in Paris during the Bourbon Restoration. He was politically liberal, supported the July Revolution of 1830 and opposed the seizure of power by Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte in 1851. He favoured protectionist economic policies, and led a lobby group to oppose lowering of tariffs. Family background Antoine Odier's family, which originated in the Dauphiné, was part of the "old nobility" (ancienne noblesse). An ancestor, also named Antoine Odier, took refuge in Geneva shortly before the end of the 17th century, fleeing religious persecution resulting from the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The Odiers became related by marriage with patrician families in Geneva, and associated with leading merchants. Odier's father, Jacques-Antoine Odier, appears to have played an important role in Senn, Bidermann et Cie. This company had been established in 1781 with the purpose of manufacturing Indian cotton at Wesserling, and trading in painted canvasses in three export outlets. When the other leaders of this company moved from Geneva in 1782 to France and Belgium, he was given power of attorney for their affairs in Geneva. Business career