Business Magnate, Philanthropist. He was the second son of Meyer Guggenheim and father of Harry F. Guggenheim the Ambassador to Cuba. At an early age he became a member of the firm of Meyer Guggenheim and Sons. At the beginning of the 20th century the family had gotten involved in mining adventures. They were already one of the richest companies in America when they branched out and bought the firm "American Smelting and Refining Company" then quartered in Tucson, Arizona. He would become the leader of this company and lead it into the 20th century with his usual vigor. He was considered the guiding genius in the creation of some of the largest enterprises in the history of their company. As head of the Guggenheim copper and smelting interests he was named by James Watson Gerard III in his list of "Rulers of America." During World War II his son Harry became involved in aeronautics. Daniel Guggenheim felt that this would be the means of transportation for the future of the country, and invested heavily in its formation. He contributed $500,000.00 to establish a school of aeronautics in the College of Engineering of New York University. Excavation for the school had just begun in January of 1926 when he established the Daniel Guggenheim fund for the promotion of aeronautics. He contributed $2,500,000.00 to be made available to initiate the program. He made his son Harry president and trustees of the fund included men of national distinction in aviation, engineering, law and business. Later that year he funded a nationwide tour of the North Pole airplane of Commander Richard Evelyn Byrd, Jr. for the purpose of focusing attention on the development of aircraft and the need of municipal airports. For the same purpose he funded the tour of Charles A. Lindbergh after his return from his flight to Paris. In January of 1924 he and his wife Florence created the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation with the purpose to be "the promotion, through charitable and benevolent activities of the well being of mankind throughout the world." In early 1930 he fell ill and went to Europe with the hope of regaining his health. He returned from Europe on September 15, 1930, without any improvement, and returned to his home, Hempstead in Port Washington where he died two weeks later.