Meyer Guggenheim (February 1, 1828 - March 15, 1905) was the patriarch of what became known as the Guggenheim family. He was born in Langnau Switzerland and emigrated to the United States in 1847. He started out in the importing business, but made his and his family's fortune in mining and smelting. He and his wife Barbara had ten surviving children. Five of his seven sons were active in the family businesses:
- Isaac (1854-1922),
- Daniel (1856-1930), head of the family after his father's death, who was the most active of his sons in developing and acquiring worldwide mining interests,
- Murry (1858-1939), originally in the lace and embroidery import business and by 1881, involved in mining and smelting,
- Solomon Robert (1861-1949), a supporter of modern art through his foundation and donations to the Museum of Modern Art,
- (John) Simon (1867-1941), a one-term senator from Colorado
