Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.

John D. Rockefeller Jr

Financier and Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr

Profession: Financier and Philanthropist

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Biography: John D. Rockefeller Jr. was an American financier and philanthropist, widely known as the only son of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. He played a prominent role in managing the family's vast business interests and philanthropic endeavors, becoming a significant patron of arts and conservation in the United States.

Rockefeller Jr. was deeply involved in the family business, serving on the boards of various Standard Oil companies. However, his main interest lay in philanthropy, following in the footsteps of his father. He used his inherited wealth to contribute to numerous charitable and educational causes, building upon the Rockefeller legacy of philanthropy.

He made significant contributions to historical preservation, funding the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg, a historic district in Virginia that preserves and recreates the historic buildings and environment of the early American colonial period. His love for the environment also resulted in major donations of land for national parks, including the Grand Teton National Park.

Rockefeller Jr. was also a notable patron of the arts. He played a crucial role in the creation of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and funded the construction of the iconic Rockefeller Center, a large complex consisting of numerous commercial buildings.

His six children, including Nelson Rockefeller, who served as Vice President of the United States, and David Rockefeller, the former CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank, continued his legacy of philanthropy and public service.

Born: January 29, 1874
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Star Sign: Aquarius

Died: May 11, 1960 (aged 86)
Cause of Death: Pneumonia

Married Life

  • 1901-10-09 Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. (27) weds Abby Aldrich in Warwick Neck, Rhode Island

Historical Events

  • 1910-03-03 John D. Rockefeller Jr. announces his retirement from managing his businesses so that he can be devoted full time to being a philanthropist at the Rockefeller Foundation
  • 1946-12-12 The United Nations accepts six Manhattan blocks as a gift from John D. Rockefeller Jr.
  • 1947-03-24 John D. Rockefeller Jr. donates NYC East River site to the UN