What profession did Rosalind Franklin's father have?

Rosalind Franklin’s father, Ellis Arthur Franklin, was a merchant banker.

Ellis Franklin worked as a banker at Keyser & Co., a London firm in which his father had been a senior partner. The occupation is often described specifically as “merchant banker,” distinguishing his work in commercial finance from the medical, engineering, or school-leadership professions listed as distractors.

His interests extended beyond banking. Franklin taught subjects including electricity, magnetism, and the history of the Great War at the Working Men’s College, eventually becoming its vice principal. This educational and civic involvement was part of the family’s broader commitment to learning and public service.

Ellis and his wife, Muriel Frances Waley, had five children, including Rosalind. The family also helped Jewish refugees from continental Europe during the Nazi era. Thus, “merchant banker” identifies his principal profession, while teaching was an important additional role rather than the answer to the question.