Solomon Joel

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Solomon Barnato Joel (Solly) (1865-1931) along with his brothers Jack and Woolf, earned his fortune from the Barnato Diamond Mining Company and within ten years he had become a millionaire, primarily by buying worked-out diamond mines in South Africa. He ultimately became head of the family business - Barnato Brothers. A book detailing the life of this extraordinary man and his family “Ace of Diamonds” was written by his son Stanhope Joel.

From a tough start in the East End of London, in 1865, as the son of a struggling publican, to ending up a millionaire diamond dealer, indicates a man and family of extreme character and shrewdness.

However, in his personal life, his familial relationships were not always cordial. His dislike of his daughter Doris’ marriage, continued until she divorced her husband after four years, at which point he resumed normal relations. Solly also disapproved of one of his son's Stanhope’s marriage for two years. His own marital status was equally unsound in that he divorced his wife Ellen (Nellie), née Ridley. However, another of his sons Dudley Joel became a successful English politician.

Solly’s interests were wide and varied and included horse racing and horse breeding, as well as his many business interests. He was also kept busy with his enlarged family’s diamond and gold mining interests, activities in brewing, the theatre (the Drury Lane Theatre in London) and railways (the City & South London Railway).

Solly Joel had some success in horse racing and breeding by virtue of his home-bred horse Pommern, this being Solly’s only Classic winner and his own stallion, Polymelus. He also established a race horse stud at New Farm, which was re-named Home Stud Farm located near to his own estate.

In 1903 Solly purchased the Maiden Erlegh Estate in Earley, near Reading, Berkshire. Solly was renowned for being a generous man. His extravagance has been overtly manifested by his heavy investment in his Estate by commissioning a marble swimming pool complete with fresco.Another illustration of his generosity, was exhibited when Sol Joel Park close to his estate was given to the Corporation of Reading in 1927. The official opening was undertaken by the then Duke of York, who became King George VI and was again an extravagant event

Solly Joel died in 1931 and immediately his estate and possessions were sold at auction. The Home Stud Farm was sold in 1932 but continued in existence until the 1980s.