(July 8, 1839-May 23, 1937)
Also known as J.D. Rockefeller
Worked as a cashier and bookkeeper
Entered the oil business (1863)
Operated a refinery
Organized Standard Oil Company (1870)
Refined 29,000 barrels of crude oil a day (1872)
Controlled 75 percent of the US petroleum industry
Owned numerous other industries
Standard Oil dissolved by the U.S. Supreme Court for violation of antitrust laws (1911)

For a time, his company nearly monopolized the oil industry.
He had an unsafe influence on the economy because he controlled so many businesses.
He outlived three of his five children.

His money helped found the University of Chicago.
Much of his money was given away, mostly to churches and for black education.
He contributed to the rise of America as an economic power.
He once wrote that 'it is every man’s religious duty to get all he can honestly and to give all he can.'
His philanthropy was organized and designed to have the most positive impact possible.
His descendants, Nelson and Winthrop became governors.

Credit: Wang

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