Historical Figure
John D. Rockefeller
1874–1937
American business magnate (1839–1937)
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Biography
John Davison Rockefeller Sr. was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest Americans of all time and one of the richest people in modern history. Rockefeller was born into a large family in Upstate New York who moved several times before eventually settling in Cleveland, Ohio. He became an assistant bookkeeper at age 16 and went into several business partnerships beginning at age 20, concentrating his business on oil refining. Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company in 1870. He ran it until 1897 and remained its largest shareholder. In his retirement, he focused his energy and wealth on philanthropy, especially regarding education, medicine, higher education, and modernizing the Southern United States.
Timeline
The story of John D. Rockefeller, told in moments.
Incorporates Standard Oil of Ohio. He's 30. Within a decade, he'll control 90% of American oil refining through a web of trusts, secret railroad rebates, and relentless acquisition. He doesn't drill for oil. He refines it, ships it, and sets the price.
The Supreme Court breaks Standard Oil into 34 companies under the Sherman Antitrust Act. The irony: the breakup makes him richer. His shares in the successor companies are worth more separately than together. ExxonMobil, Chevron, and BP all trace back to Standard Oil.
Creates the Rockefeller Foundation with $100 million. Roughly $3 billion in today's money. He'd already funded the University of Chicago and medical research. The Foundation will eradicate hookworm in the American South and fund the Green Revolution.
His net worth crosses $1 billion. He's the first person to reach that number. Adjusted for the economy's size, he may be the richest American who ever lived. He gives dimes to strangers on the street.
Dies in Ormond Beach, Florida, at 97. He'd built his first refinery in Cleveland at 23. His daily routine in old age: golf, Bible study, and handing out dimes. He left behind a fortune that still funds museums, universities, and medical research.
In Their Own Words (19)
I would rather hire a man with enthusiasm, than a man who knows everything.
As quoted in Classic Wisdom for the Professional Life (2010) by Bryan Curtis, p. 75, 2010
Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing.
As quoted in The Forbes Book of Business Quotations (2007) edited by Ted Goodman, p. 175, 2007
If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it.
As quoted in Complete Speaker's and Toastmaster's Library (1992) edited by Jacob Morton Braude and Glenn Van Ekeren, 1992
The way to make money is to buy when blood is running in the streets.
Attributed in The Fourth — And by Far the Most Recent 637 Best Things Anybody Ever Said (1990) by Robert Byrne; attributed elsewhere to Nathan M. Rothschild, 1990
If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.
As quoted in Steps to the Top (1985) by Zig Ziglar, p. 16, 1985
Artifacts (15)
John D Rockefeller arriving in
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q110975090
Fragtskibet John D. Rockefeller ved kaj
Damgaard, Holger (24.7.1870-15.1.1945) photographer
Havnen, Det amerikanske fragtskib John D. Rockefeller ved kaj
Damgaard, Holger (24.7.1870-15.1.1945) photographer
Mrs Milton ( formerly )
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q110975090
Rockefeller's grandson threatened by kidnappers._x000D_ A
TopFoto
Mr J D Rockefeller ill
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q110975090
World 's most famous shrine
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q110975090
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