John Rockefeller: The Original Titan

John D. Rockefeller - The Original Titan: Insight and Analysis into the Life of the Richest Man in American History (Business Biographies and Memoirs – Titans of Industry Book 3)

by J.R. MacGregor

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Language	:	English
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John Rockefeller was an American industrialist, philanthropist, and businessman. He founded Standard Oil, which became the world's largest oil company. Rockefeller was a devout Baptist and a generous benefactor to educational and charitable institutions.

Early life

John Davison Rockefeller was born in Richford, New York, on July 8, 1839. His father, William Avery Rockefeller, was a traveling salesman and his mother, Eliza Davison Rockefeller, was a devout Baptist. Rockefeller had four siblings: Mary Ann, William, Frank, and Lucy.

Rockefeller's family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1853. Rockefeller attended Cleveland Central High School and then worked as a bookkeeper for a produce commission merchant. In 1858, he borrowed $1,000 from his father and started his own produce commission business.

Standard Oil

In 1863, Rockefeller partnered with Samuel Andrews and Henry Flagler to form the Andrews, Clark & Company oil refinery. In 1870, the company was renamed Standard Oil of Ohio. Rockefeller quickly expanded Standard Oil through acquisitions and mergers, and by 1880, it controlled 90% of the oil refining capacity in the United States.

Standard Oil was a very profitable company, and Rockefeller became one of the richest men in the world. He used his wealth to finance a variety of philanthropic endeavors, including the founding of the University of Chicago, the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Philanthropy

Rockefeller was a generous philanthropist, and he donated millions of dollars to educational and charitable institutions. He founded the University of Chicago in 1892, and he also provided funding for the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the General Education Board.

Rockefeller's philanthropy was motivated by his belief that the wealthy had a responsibility to give back to society. He said, "I believe that the power to make money is a gift from God, and that it comes with the responsibility to use it for the benefit of mankind."

Personal life

Rockefeller married Laura Celestia Spelman in 1864. They had five children: Elizabeth, John, Alta, Edith, and Bessie.

Rockefeller was a devout Baptist, and he attended church regularly. He was also a strong believer in education, and he encouraged his children to get a good education.

Rockefeller died in Ormond Beach, Florida, on May 23, 1937, at the age of 97. He was buried in Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

Legacy

John Rockefeller was one of the most influential figures in American history. He founded the world's largest oil company, and he used his wealth to finance a variety of philanthropic endeavors. Rockefeller's legacy is a mixed one: he was both a ruthless businessman and a generous philanthropist.