Born in what is now Istanbul. His father was already in the business of oil import/export and Calouste became immensely wealthy in this field.
Took a degree at Kings College, London and here, 1892, married Nevarte Essayan. 1897 established an office in London. 1902 acquired British citizenship. But 1942, while living in Vichy, France, he fell out with the British government and moved permanently to Lisbon. In 1956 created the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, a private foundation based in Portugal which continues to promote arts, charity, education, and science throughout the world.
The next generation,his son Nubar, also became independently wealthy but become well known as an eccentric spender. Don't tell us that wealth doesn't beget wealth!
Asbarez is a useful source.
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