Abstract
Abraham Mendelssohn, the second son of Moses Mendelssohn, devoted careful attention to the education of his children, including Felix. Lea Salomon, his wife, received a substantial legacy under her grandfather Daniel Itzig's will. The family's wealth was considerably augmented by Abraham's own activities as a banker, in partnership with his brother Joseph. Thus, they were able to employ the best available teachers for specialist studies and hired a private tutor to direct the children's general studies. Both Abraham and Lea were actively involved in their children's education, with the latter giving Felix and his elder sister Fanny their first piano lessons and Abraham teaching the children in French and mathematics. G. Merkel, a close friend of the Salomon family, recalled Lea's intellectual and artistic achievements shortly after her death in 1842. In addition to the influence of his parents, Fanny Mendelssohn also played an important role during Felix Mendelssohn's formative early years.
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