Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev (1823-1924)

Well-known Azerbaijani entrepreneur, the first patron of science and art in the East. Thanks to his effort and talent he rose from being stonemason to one of the richest man of Tsarist Russia.

The only Azerbaijani entrepreneur to invest in almost all economic fields. He was progressive in his charitable work, supporting talented Azerbaijani young people studying abroad. He supported cultural and educational organizations, including schools and newspapers. He opened Azerbaijan's first garden school ( 1894), first theatre (1883) and the first girls school (1901). He also built a water pipeline to Baku (1917). Because of his charitable work, Azerbaijanis called him the Father of the Nation.