Somary, Felix

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SOMARY, FELIX

SOMARY, FELIX (1881–1956), Austrian banker and economist. Born in Vienna, Somary began his career with the Anglo-Austrian Bank under Charles *Morawitz. During World War i he took part in the financial administration of the German-occupied part of Western Europe. From 1919 he was active as a banker in Zurich and later assisted in drafting the Young Plan designed to regulate German reparations to the Allied Powers. During World War ii he was in the United States on behalf of the Swiss government and private interests.

He published his autobiography Erinnerungen aus meinem Leben (1955, 19593). His many publications on international economics and finance include Bankpolitik (1915, 19343); Wandlungen der Weltwirtschaft seit dem Kriege (1929; Changes in the Structure of World Economics Since the War, 1931); Krisenwende! (1933; End the Crisis! 1933).

[Joachim O. Ronall]