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John D. Rockefeller

Historical Figure

John D. Rockefeller

1874–1937

American financier and philanthropist (1874–1960)

Victorian Era

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Key Dates

Biography

John Davison Rockefeller Jr. was an American financier and philanthropist. Rockefeller was the fifth child and only son of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. He was involved in the development of the vast office complex in Midtown Manhattan known as Rockefeller Center, making him one of the largest real estate holders in the city at that time. Towards the end of his life, he was famous for his philanthropy, donating over $500 million to a wide variety of different causes, including educational establishments. Among his projects was the reconstruction of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. He was widely blamed for having orchestrated the Ludlow Massacre and other offenses during the Colorado Coalfield War. Rockefeller was the father of six children: Abby, John III, Nelson, Laurance, Winthrop, and David.

Source: Wikipedia · Compiled March 2026 · AI-summarized

Timeline

1870
Event

John D. Rockefeller incorporates Standard Oil.

January 10 →
1874
Birth

Jr., American businessman and philanthropist (d. 1960)

January 29 →
1882
Event

John D. Rockefeller vereinigt das Firmengeflecht der Standard Oil Company zum Standard Oil Trust.

January 2 →
1910
Event

John D. Rockefeller crée une fondation destinée à promouvoir la science.

March 3 →
1910
Event

Fundação Rockefeller: John D. Rockefeller, Jr. anuncia sua aposentadoria da administração de seus negócios para que possa dedicar todo seu tempo à filantropia.

March 3 →
1913
Event

New York Governor William Sulzer approves the charter for the Rockefeller Foundation, which begins operations with a $100 million donation from John D. Rockefeller.

May 14 →
1916
Event

John D. Rockefeller becomes the first billionaire.

September 29 →

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