Wilhelm Karl Freiherr von Rothschild was a German banker; born at Frankfort-on-the-Main May 16, 1828; died there Jan. 25, 1901; son of Karl Mayer von Rothschild of Naples. With his brother Mayer Karl he became joint head of the Frankfort house in 1855, and he was sole head from the time of his brother's decease (1886). He married Mathilde, daughter of Anselm Rothschild of Vienna, and left two daughters. As neither Wilhelm Karl nor his brother Mayer left a male heir, the Frankfort branch of the house of Rothschild was discontinued (July 1, 1901).

Note: There is a slip of paper glued to the title page on which, in handwritten script, is the phrase נא להושיט לי עזרה ...הטהורה Please extend to me a helping hand …the pure.