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Alexander Mantashiants was a prominent oil magnate of Baku who was also well known for his philanthropy.

Born in Tiflis on March 3, 1842, Mantashiants spent most of his childhood in Tabriz (northern Iran), where his father was involved in the cotton and textile trade. From early on, he joined his father in business. In 1869, he moved to Manchester, a major textile center, from where he helped ship goods to his father in Tabriz. His sojourn helped him learn the secrets and crafts of the textile industry, as well as the intricacies of European business and English culture, while he learned English, French, and German.

In 1872, Mantashiants returned to Tiflis with his father, where they became fully engaged in …