The Eccentric Entrepreneur tells the story of Sir Julien Cahn, possibly the most successful eccentric in 1930’s Britain. A complex man with diverse interests, Cahn’s visions influenced cricket, business, politics and medicine.

Having built the largest mass-market furniture empire in England, he used his wealth to fund his extraordinary hobbies.

A cricket fanatic, he established the internationally renowned Sir Julien Cahn X1, outplaying national teams during lavish world tours. The book illustrates Cahn’s controversial presidency of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and his involvement in the Bodyline scandal.

An accomplished magician, he built a magnificent art deco theatre and cinema at his sumptuous home, Stanford Hall near Loughborough. He staged illusions so spectacular, he was invited to perform at London's Palladium Theatre.

With flamboyant acts of philanthropy, Cahn managed his own rapid ascent up the social ladder – no easy feat for a Jew in 1930’s Britain. Friendly with Prime Minister Baldwin, he found himself deeply embroiled in the buying of honours scandal – echoes of which still resound around Westminster today.

His largesse was legendary, not just in Nottinghamshire where he donated Newstead Abbey to the State, but nationally in his support of medicine and agriculture. As Chairman of The National Birthday Trust Fund he was instrumental in developing the first human milk bank and introducing anesthetics in childbirth.

Miranda Rijks goes beyond telling the life story of Cahn, and paints a vivid picture of life in upper class Britain, a world of wealth and splendor such is barely conceivable today.