HOME > Robert Maxwell Original Name
Early Life and Name Change
Robert Maxwell, whose original name was Ian Robert Maxwell, was born on June 10, 1923, in Slatina, Czechoslovakia. He was the youngest of seven children born to Jewish parents. His father, Ján Ludvík Hyman Binyamin Hoch, was a successful businessman who owned a publishing company. Maxwell grew up in a wealthy family and was educated in private schools.
Holocaust Survivor
During World War II, Maxwell's family was deported to Auschwitz concentration camp. Maxwell and his brother were the only members of the family to survive. After the war, Maxwell moved to England and joined the British Army. He changed his name from Ian Robert Maxwell to Robert Maxwell, which he felt was more Anglicized and would help him fit in better in his new country.
Publishing Industry
After leaving the army, Maxwell went into the publishing industry. He started his own publishing company, Pergamon Press, which focused on scientific and technical journals. The company was successful, and Maxwell became known as a savvy businessman. He later acquired other publishing companies, including Macmillan Publishers and Mirror Group Newspapers.
Media Mogul
Maxwell's impact on the media world was significant. He was known for his aggressive business tactics and his ability to turn struggling companies around. He was also known for his flamboyant lifestyle and his love of yachts. However, his business practices were not always ethical, and he was accused of fraud and embezzlement. In 1991, he was found dead in the Atlantic Ocean, and his death was ruled a suicide.
Legacy
Despite his controversial business practices, Maxwell's impact on the publishing and media industries cannot be denied. He was a Holocaust survivor who went on to achieve great success in his career. His life story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of determination.
