A person who manages large amounts of money, especially someone who finances business ventures or government activities. A wealthy individual involved in banking or investment.
From French 'financier', derived from 'finance' which comes from Old French 'finer' meaning 'to pay a ransom, settle a debt'. The term evolved from medieval practices of money management and eventually came to describe those who specialized in large-scale financial operations.
The rise of financiers paralleled the development of modern capitalism, transforming from medieval money-changers into the architects of global economic systems. Many of history's greatest philanthropic foundations were built by financiers who accumulated vast wealth and then sought to use it for social good.
Finance and banking historically excluded women through law and custom. The term 'financier' reinforced male-dominated capital control; women were bankers' wives or clerical workers, not power brokers.
Use 'financier' for all people managing capital. Acknowledge that many historical 'financiers' included women operating under constraints or through proxies.
["investor","capital manager","banker"]
Women like Harriet Hosmer (self-funded sculptor), the Medici women as financial strategists, and modern pioneers like Abigail Johnson (Fidelity) had to navigate male-dominated finance. Crediting them reclaims their agency.
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