John D. Rockefeller

8 July 1839 – 23 May 1937

John Davison Rockefeller Sr. was an American business magnate who founded the Standard Oil Company and came to dominate the American petroleum industry, becoming the wealthiest American of his time. In his later decades he became a pioneering large-scale philanthropist, funding universities, medical research, and public health through institutions including the Rockefeller Foundation.

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Life events

Born in Richford, New York
8 July 1839

Rockefeller was the second of six children of William Avery Rockefeller and Eliza Davison.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Family settled in the Cleveland, Ohio, area
1853

After moves through New York State, the family relocated to Strongsville near Cleveland, where Rockefeller attended high school and a commercial course.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Began work as an assistant bookkeeper at Hewitt & Tuttle
26 September 1855

Rockefeller's first job with a Cleveland commission merchant firm began on September 26, a date he celebrated for the rest of his life as 'Job Day'.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Entered the oil refining business in Cleveland
1863

Rockefeller and partners invested in a Cleveland refinery during the early Pennsylvania oil boom.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Laura Celestia Spelman
8 September 1864

The couple had five children, including John D. Rockefeller Jr.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Founded the Standard Oil Company
10 January 1870

Rockefeller incorporated Standard Oil in Ohio, which through aggressive consolidation came to control the vast majority of American oil refining.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Founded the University of Chicago with major endowments
1890

Rockefeller's gifts, ultimately totaling around 80 million dollars, established the University of Chicago as a leading research institution.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Supreme Court ordered the breakup of Standard Oil
15 May 1911

The U.S. Supreme Court found Standard Oil in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and ordered it dissolved into 34 separate companies.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Established the Rockefeller Foundation
14 May 1913

Chartered in New York, the foundation became one of the world's largest philanthropies, supporting public health, medical education, and science.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Ormond Beach, Florida
23 May 1937

Rockefeller died of arteriosclerosis at his winter home, The Casements, weeks before his 98th birthday.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓