John D. Rockefeller - A Short Biography

John Davison Rockefeller, Sr. (July 8, 1839 - May 23, 1937) was an American industrialist and philanthropist. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of modern philanthropy. Rockefeller had always believed since he was a child that his purpose in life was to make as much money as possible, and then use it wisely to improve the lot of mankind. In 1870, Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company and ran it until he retired in the late 1890s. He kept his stock and as gasoline grew in importance, his wealth soared and he became the world's richest man and first U.S. dollar billionaire. Rockefeller is often regarded as the richest person in history.

Standard Oil was convicted in Federal Court of monopolistic practices and broken up in 1911. Rockefeller spent the last forty years of his life in retirement. His fortune was used to create the modern systematic approach of targeted philanthropy with foundations that had a major effect on medicine, education, and scientific research. His foundations pioneered the development of medical research, and were instrumental in the eradication of hookworm and yellow fever. He was a devout Northern Baptist and supported many church-based institutions throughout his life.

Always avoiding the spotlight, Rockefeller was remembered for handing dimes to those he encountered in public. Married in 1864, Rockefeller outlived his wife Laura Celestia ("Cettie") Spelman. The Rockefellers had four daughters and one son (John D. Rockefeller, Jr.). "Junior" was largely entrusted with supervision of the foundations.

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[iloveediblestuff]

@zebbedi They've been kind and generous to your pockets, it seems.

[zebbedi]

@BANSHEEBOT1985 Everybody is for their own interests, it's called survival. The fact is that John D Rockefeller gave around $550 million to charity. This has been researched and by published by independent sources many times.

People that are jealous look to tarnish the reputations of people that are far greater than they will ever be. Sad but true.

[BANSHEEBOT1985]

@zebbedi All have been for their own interests to make people like YOU believe they're generous. It is not an issue of jealousy. Just rich(est) people looking to get richer while profiting of the suffering of others (which they have no problem with).

[DracoPilamZ]

Crony Capitalism does not equal Freemarket Capitalism.

[zebbedi]

@Apocalipaya The Rothschilds and the Rockefellers have historically been very kind and generous families. Some people are jealous and confused that people can become so rich and powerful. There are far worse families on the planet.

[Apocalipaya]

@zebbedi I learn economy, and finances. I just can tell you to watch the movie Zeitgeist. Its not about the Rothschild's and Rockefeller's. They just embody the mechanism of easy manipulating the people, and making tons(gigabytes) of money..

[giulian0fr]

@blitzinger1 maybe because they are doin the bigger genocide never seen in Je history (sorry for the English) Fuck rockfeller rotschild and the other illumiazi from Switzerland

[3igmack]

@schwiiZZZ Yeah im pissed im not rich like him too. :(

[iiMTooFast]

@blitzinger1 there not the equivalent of any royal family

[MoneyR8]

first of all when rockefeller was young he sold potatos in front of his house to support the family while his father was on work trips