Robert Mayer (philanthropist)

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For other people named Robert Mayer, see Robert Mayer (disambiguation).

Sir
Robert Mayer
CH KCVO
Born(1879-06-05)5 June 1879
Mannheim, Grand Duchy of Baden, German Empire
Died9 January 1985(1985-01-09) (aged 105)
OccupationBusinessman
Known forPhilanthropist
SpouseDorothy Moulton Piper
Children3
AwardsAlbert Medal (1979)

Sir Robert Mayer CH KCVO (5 June 1879 – 9 January 1985) was a German-born British philanthropist, businessman, and a major supporter of music and young musicians.

Early life

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Mayer was born in Mannheim, Germany; his father was a brewer. From the age of 5 Mayer attended the Mannheim conservatoire, where, at the age of 11, he prepared a piano ballade by Brahms but was not chosen to perform it before the composer. However he sat next to Brahms during the concert. He also studied under Felix Weingartner.

His father however insisted that Mayer go into business. Initially he worked in the lace trade, and then, moving to London in 1896, became a banker, whilst continuing his piano studies with Fanny Davies and others. Mayer became a citizen of the United Kingdom in 1902, and joined the British army in the First World War.[1][2]

Personal life

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His first wife, the soprano Dorothy Moulton Piper [3] (d. 1974), an Avant Garde singer [4] whom he married in 1919 [5], encouraged him to continue his interest in music. Early in their married life, whilst living in the United States, Mayer came across the children's concerts organised by Walter Damrosch, and he was inspired by these to found the Children's Concerts, later known as the Robert Mayer Concerts for Children, in 1923 (and later set up 'Youth and Music' , founded 1954, and affiliated to Jeunesses Musicales). The first series of concerts were conducted by Adrian Boult and Malcolm Sargent.

Mayer had three children,[6] two of whom would go on to survive him: Adrian and Pauline. In 1980, aged 101, he remarried to Lady Jacqueline Mayer Noble.[7][8]

Founding

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In 1932, Mayer was one of the founders of the London Philharmonic Orchestra [9], and he also helped found the London Schools Symphony Orchestra [10] in 1951. He was also involved, with Egon Wellesz, with the founding of the ISCM.

Centenarian

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His 100th birthday in 1979 was a national celebration that included a gala concert at the Royal Festival Hall which was attended by Queen Elizabeth II. On the day of his 100th birthday he was a guest on the BBC's radio programme Desert Island Discs [11]. His song choices were;

And his Castaway's favourites were;

His book was his Visitor's book, and his luxury item Grapes (seedless). Later in that year Mayer, joined by Joyce Grenfell and Robin Ray, appeared as a guest on the BBC TV quiz Face The Music.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Bernard Keeffe played music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Benjamin Britten, Malcolm Arnold and Jean Sibelius, the most requested works as the result of a poll.

Although Chaim Weizmann referred to him as "an assimilated Jew", Mayer replied "I am a man, not a Jew or a non-Jew".

Autobiography

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Mayer published an autobiography titled My First 100 Years in 1979.

National Order

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He was created a Knight Bachelor by George VI in 1939, and was created a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) by Elizabeth II in 1973. He was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) by the Queen in 1979.

References

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  1. ^ Catalogue description Medal card of Mayer, Robert J Corps: Hertfordshire Yeomanry Regiment No: ... 1914–1920.
  2. ^ "Lives of the First World War". livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Mayer, (Sir) Robert | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  4. ^ Moulton, Dorothy (12 November 1920). "Dorothy Moulton's Debut". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  5. ^ Panter-Downes, Mollie (13 April 1980). "THE RIGHT PEOPLE: THE YOUNG". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  6. ^ "The Right People: The Young". The New Yorker. 14 April 1980.
  7. ^ Blair, William G. (20 January 1985). "Sir Robert Mayer is Dead at 105; Patron of British Youth Concerts". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "Sir Robert Mayer (1879-1985) – the man who almost played for Brahms".
  9. ^ "London Philharmonic Orchestra". The Times. 9 September 1932. p. 8.
  10. ^ "London Schools Symphony Orchestra". London Museum. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  11. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Sir Robert Mayer". BBC. Retrieved 12 August 2025.