Biography Category
Name :
J. D. Rockfeller
Date :
Views :
775
Category :
Birth Date :
08/07/1839
Birth Place :
Richford, Tioga County, New York
Death Date :
23-May-37
Not Available
[b]FAMILY BACKGROUND[/b][br /]
[br /]
One wonders what William Avery Rockefeller and Eliza Davison Rockefeller thought when their son was born on July 8, 1839. Whatever it was, their prophecy would have proved wrong. John was born on a farm at Richford in Tioga County, New York. His father, William Rockefeller was some sort of a ‘conman’. He claimed to have a cure for cancer and charged upto $25 for the treatment. When John was about 10 years old, William was indicted in a rape, forcing the family to move to Moravia and later to Owego, New York from Richford. John attended the Owego Academy. He was excellent in mental arithmetic, the first of his many talents that made him successful. He had the capacity to solve difficult arithmetic problems in his head. Otherwise, he was an average student. In 1853, the Rockefellers moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where they bought a house. John D (as he liked to sign his essays) attended Central High School in Cleveland. He was on the debating team and learned to drive home his point with conviction.[br /]
[br /]
[b]SHAPING YEARS[/b][br /]
[br /]
By the time he was 16 years old, he had left high school to take a six-month course at Folsom Mercantile College (also known as Folsom’s Commercial College). He did the course in three months, learning single and double entry, bookkeeping, penmanship, commercial history, mercantile customs, banking and exchange. His father, William, taught him to draw notes and other business papers. He also taught him how to be meticulous in business matters, a useful quality for a businessman. His search for a job ended when he got a job as an assistant bookkeeper with Hewitt and Tuttle, commission merchants and produce shippers.[br /]
[br /]
[b]FAST PROGRESS[/b][br /]
[br /]
John got his first pay after working for three months – $ 50, which came to about $ 3.57 a week. But this meager salary did not prevent him from being very serious and diligent at work. He was exacting and honest. He was very pleasant, but persistent when he went to collect amounts from overdue accounts. His salary was increased to $ 25 a month and a few months later he became the cashier and bookkeeper. Within a span of three years, John was handling complicated transportation deals. He also began to indulge in trading ventures on his own, but not without proper planning. Once he was sure of the course of action to be taken, he would follow it through very quickly and very boldly, ensuring success in the venture. He had the right balance of caution and boldness, which soon enabled him to earn the respect of the business community of Cleveland.[br /]
[br /]
[b]STARTING HIS OWN COMPANY[/b][br /]
[br /]
A few months before his 20th birthday, on March 18, 1859 to be specific, John went into business on his own. He had saved $1000 and he borrowed corresponding amount from his father. He formed partnership with a neighbor, Maurice Clark. Each man invested $2000 and formed Clark and Rockefeller, commission merchants in grain, hay, meat and miscellaneous goods. By the end of first year, Clark and Rockefeller had grossed $4,50,000. They notched a profit of $4,400 in the first year itself and in the second year, it rose to $17,000. In a competitive business, Rockefeller had proved his worth. When the grain prices shot up during the Civil War, their commissions also increased. Their business expanded and the sole credit went to Rockefeller. His style was aggressive, but nothing was left to chance. His strategy was very well planned and he worked hard to see that his plans were followed through.[br /]
[br /]
In early 1860, Rockefeller realized that railroads would be the prime means of transport for agricultural produce. Since Cleveland was a lake port, it would lose on account of this disticnt advantage. Moreover, the grain output of the midwest and the northwest was rising, which would make them the dominant players in the business. According to him, Cleveland’s future lay in the collection and shipment of industrial materials.[br /]
[br /]
[b]ROCKEFELLER AND ANDREWS[/b][br /]
[br /]
Around this time, the first oil well was drilled at Titusville in Pennsylvania, giving rise to the major petroleum industry. Rockefeller saw his chance to diversify and in 1862 entered the business of oil refining with Samuel Andrews and Clark. Andrews had some experience in oil refining and thus Andrews, Clark and Company came into existence. It continued to deal in the commission business. In 1865, Rockefeller bought over his partnership for $72,500 and gained total control over the oil business. He sold out his other interests and formed Rockefeller and Andrews. His planning and hard work paid dividends and in 1870, he organized The Standard Oil Company with a capital of $10,00,000. [br /]
[br /]
[b]WIFE AND FAMILY[/b][br /]
[br /]
By this time Rockefeller was happily married and a father of two children. Laura Celestia Spelman (Cettie) his wife, came from a well-off and respectable family. They had met in high school, where ‘Cettie’ was one of the few girls taking commercial courses to learn business. They loved music, shared the same religious beliefs and were indifferent to fancy social life. They were married on September 8, 1864, after a nine-year courtship. Six months later they moved into a modest house without servants. They had five children – Elizabeth or ‘Bessie’ (1866 -1906), Alice (1869-1870), Alta (1871-1962), Edith (1872-1932) and John D Jr. (1874-1960).[br /]
[br /]
As a father, he maintained a constant but distanced influence on his children. He never revealed his financial status to his children, wanting them to be hard working and thrifty, rather than spendthrift and indulgent. They were suppose to do chores to earn their pocket money – two cents for killing flies and for not eating candy ! The children were suppose to note down each gain and payment in their own ‘Ledger A’. But he was not always the strict and stern father. He would often play with the children and teach them to swim, row, skate and ride horses.[br /]
[br /]
He was a good husband too. Cettie had been ill for the last several years of her life and from 1909 onwards she was confined to a wheelchair. But Rockefeller took excellent care of her. He would excuse himself from the dinner parties and visit Cettie at home, in the bedroom picking up a flower or a tidbit from the dinner conversation.[br /]
[br /]
[b]METAMORPHOSIS INTO A PHILANTHROPIST[/b][br /]
[br /]
When Rockefeller was 57 years old, he decided to focus his attention on philanthropy rather than on business. He let the others take over the day-to-day affairs and leadership of Standard Oil to concentrate on philanthropy. For Rockefeller, giving in charity was nothing new. He had always given a portion of his income to help those in need. In his later life, that did not change, only the amount changed. Even as a young boy, he made regular contribution to the Erie Street Baptist Church (later known as the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church). He was a trustee of the Church by the time he was 21 years old. The total amount of his contribution is estimated to be $550,000,000, 80 per cent of which is distributed between Rockefeller Foundation, The General Education Board, The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (now Rockefeller University) and the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial (incorporated into Rockefeller Foundation in 1929).[br /]
[br /]
[b]LAST YEARS AND DEATH[/b][br /]
[br /]
Rockefeller was basically a person of habits. Even after retirement, his schedule was fixed. He followed that routine religiously. Money may have been his passion, but it was not the backbone of his self-image. He remained the same person – in habits, faith and personality – throughout his life. He died at the age of 97, after a full life, on May 23, 1937, at his home in Ormond Beach, Florida, but he was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
One wonders what William Avery Rockefeller and Eliza Davison Rockefeller thought when their son was born on July 8, 1839. Whatever it was, their prophecy would have proved wrong. John was born on a farm at Richford in Tioga County, New York. His father, William Rockefeller was some sort of a ‘conman’. He claimed to have a cure for cancer and charged upto $25 for the treatment. When John was about 10 years old, William was indicted in a rape, forcing the family to move to Moravia and later to Owego, New York from Richford. John attended the Owego Academy. He was excellent in mental arithmetic, the first of his many talents that made him successful. He had the capacity to solve difficult arithmetic problems in his head. Otherwise, he was an average student. In 1853, the Rockefellers moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where they bought a house. John D (as he liked to sign his essays) attended Central High School in Cleveland. He was on the debating team and learned to drive home his point with conviction.[br /]
[br /]
[b]SHAPING YEARS[/b][br /]
[br /]
By the time he was 16 years old, he had left high school to take a six-month course at Folsom Mercantile College (also known as Folsom’s Commercial College). He did the course in three months, learning single and double entry, bookkeeping, penmanship, commercial history, mercantile customs, banking and exchange. His father, William, taught him to draw notes and other business papers. He also taught him how to be meticulous in business matters, a useful quality for a businessman. His search for a job ended when he got a job as an assistant bookkeeper with Hewitt and Tuttle, commission merchants and produce shippers.[br /]
[br /]
[b]FAST PROGRESS[/b][br /]
[br /]
John got his first pay after working for three months – $ 50, which came to about $ 3.57 a week. But this meager salary did not prevent him from being very serious and diligent at work. He was exacting and honest. He was very pleasant, but persistent when he went to collect amounts from overdue accounts. His salary was increased to $ 25 a month and a few months later he became the cashier and bookkeeper. Within a span of three years, John was handling complicated transportation deals. He also began to indulge in trading ventures on his own, but not without proper planning. Once he was sure of the course of action to be taken, he would follow it through very quickly and very boldly, ensuring success in the venture. He had the right balance of caution and boldness, which soon enabled him to earn the respect of the business community of Cleveland.[br /]
[br /]
[b]STARTING HIS OWN COMPANY[/b][br /]
[br /]
A few months before his 20th birthday, on March 18, 1859 to be specific, John went into business on his own. He had saved $1000 and he borrowed corresponding amount from his father. He formed partnership with a neighbor, Maurice Clark. Each man invested $2000 and formed Clark and Rockefeller, commission merchants in grain, hay, meat and miscellaneous goods. By the end of first year, Clark and Rockefeller had grossed $4,50,000. They notched a profit of $4,400 in the first year itself and in the second year, it rose to $17,000. In a competitive business, Rockefeller had proved his worth. When the grain prices shot up during the Civil War, their commissions also increased. Their business expanded and the sole credit went to Rockefeller. His style was aggressive, but nothing was left to chance. His strategy was very well planned and he worked hard to see that his plans were followed through.[br /]
[br /]
In early 1860, Rockefeller realized that railroads would be the prime means of transport for agricultural produce. Since Cleveland was a lake port, it would lose on account of this disticnt advantage. Moreover, the grain output of the midwest and the northwest was rising, which would make them the dominant players in the business. According to him, Cleveland’s future lay in the collection and shipment of industrial materials.[br /]
[br /]
[b]ROCKEFELLER AND ANDREWS[/b][br /]
[br /]
Around this time, the first oil well was drilled at Titusville in Pennsylvania, giving rise to the major petroleum industry. Rockefeller saw his chance to diversify and in 1862 entered the business of oil refining with Samuel Andrews and Clark. Andrews had some experience in oil refining and thus Andrews, Clark and Company came into existence. It continued to deal in the commission business. In 1865, Rockefeller bought over his partnership for $72,500 and gained total control over the oil business. He sold out his other interests and formed Rockefeller and Andrews. His planning and hard work paid dividends and in 1870, he organized The Standard Oil Company with a capital of $10,00,000. [br /]
[br /]
[b]WIFE AND FAMILY[/b][br /]
[br /]
By this time Rockefeller was happily married and a father of two children. Laura Celestia Spelman (Cettie) his wife, came from a well-off and respectable family. They had met in high school, where ‘Cettie’ was one of the few girls taking commercial courses to learn business. They loved music, shared the same religious beliefs and were indifferent to fancy social life. They were married on September 8, 1864, after a nine-year courtship. Six months later they moved into a modest house without servants. They had five children – Elizabeth or ‘Bessie’ (1866 -1906), Alice (1869-1870), Alta (1871-1962), Edith (1872-1932) and John D Jr. (1874-1960).[br /]
[br /]
As a father, he maintained a constant but distanced influence on his children. He never revealed his financial status to his children, wanting them to be hard working and thrifty, rather than spendthrift and indulgent. They were suppose to do chores to earn their pocket money – two cents for killing flies and for not eating candy ! The children were suppose to note down each gain and payment in their own ‘Ledger A’. But he was not always the strict and stern father. He would often play with the children and teach them to swim, row, skate and ride horses.[br /]
[br /]
He was a good husband too. Cettie had been ill for the last several years of her life and from 1909 onwards she was confined to a wheelchair. But Rockefeller took excellent care of her. He would excuse himself from the dinner parties and visit Cettie at home, in the bedroom picking up a flower or a tidbit from the dinner conversation.[br /]
[br /]
[b]METAMORPHOSIS INTO A PHILANTHROPIST[/b][br /]
[br /]
When Rockefeller was 57 years old, he decided to focus his attention on philanthropy rather than on business. He let the others take over the day-to-day affairs and leadership of Standard Oil to concentrate on philanthropy. For Rockefeller, giving in charity was nothing new. He had always given a portion of his income to help those in need. In his later life, that did not change, only the amount changed. Even as a young boy, he made regular contribution to the Erie Street Baptist Church (later known as the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church). He was a trustee of the Church by the time he was 21 years old. The total amount of his contribution is estimated to be $550,000,000, 80 per cent of which is distributed between Rockefeller Foundation, The General Education Board, The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (now Rockefeller University) and the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial (incorporated into Rockefeller Foundation in 1929).[br /]
[br /]
[b]LAST YEARS AND DEATH[/b][br /]
[br /]
Rockefeller was basically a person of habits. Even after retirement, his schedule was fixed. He followed that routine religiously. Money may have been his passion, but it was not the backbone of his self-image. He remained the same person – in habits, faith and personality – throughout his life. He died at the age of 97, after a full life, on May 23, 1937, at his home in Ormond Beach, Florida, but he was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
Rockefeller will be remembered mainly for two reasons – his abilities as a businessman and his quality of philanthropy. He aimed high but had the capacity to fulfill his ambitions through hard work and efficient planning.[br /]
[br /]
He used money as a tool to reach his goals. For him, money was not important as such, but it was very important to fulfill his ambitions. It can be said that he created the modern oil industry, making the lives of ordinary people a little better.[br /]
[br /]
The Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research, a pioneering medical research institute has been providing revolutionary knowledge that is a result of his untiring efforts. His donations have helped in developing the General Education Board that promotes education and The Rockefeller Foundation that works for social upliftment.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
He used money as a tool to reach his goals. For him, money was not important as such, but it was very important to fulfill his ambitions. It can be said that he created the modern oil industry, making the lives of ordinary people a little better.[br /]
[br /]
The Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research, a pioneering medical research institute has been providing revolutionary knowledge that is a result of his untiring efforts. His donations have helped in developing the General Education Board that promotes education and The Rockefeller Foundation that works for social upliftment.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[b]July 8, 1839[/b]
Born in Richford, Tioga County, New York.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1843 [/b]The Rockefellers moved to a farm in Moravia, New York.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1849 [/b]Following allegations of rape, Bill and his family moved to Owego, New York.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1853 [/b]Moved to Cleveland.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1855 [/b]Entered Folsom Mercantile College.[br /]
[br /]
[b]September 26, 1855[/b] Got a job as assistant bookkeeper with Hewitt and Tuttle.[br /]
[br /]
[b]March 18, 1859[/b] Formed Clark and Rockefeller, commission merchants.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1863 [/b]Entered oil business, formed Andrews, Clark and Company.[br /]
[br /]
[b]September 8, 1864[/b] Married Laura Celestia Spelman.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1865 [/b]Formed Rockefeller and Andrews, Cleveland's largest refinery.[br /]
Laura gave birth to Elizabeth.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1868 [/b]Struck a deal with a railroad, guaranteeing a certain volume in exchange for rebates.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1870 [/b]Formed the Standard Oil Company.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1871 [/b]Laura gave birth to Alta.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1872 [/b]Laura gave birth to Edith.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1874 [/b]Laura gave birth to John D Jr.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1879 [/b]Was numbered among the 20 richest men.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1882 [/b]Standard Oil Trust formed.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1889 [/b]Eliza, his mother died.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1892 [/b]Standard Oil Trust dissolved.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1895 [/b]Retired from business.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1901 [/b]Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research is created.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1902 [/b]General Education Board was formed to promote education.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1906 [/b]John's father died.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1909 [/b]Laura confined to a wheelchair.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1913 [/b]Rockefeller Foundation incorporated.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1915 [/b]Laura died.[br /]
[br /]
[b]May 23, 1937[/b] Rockefeller died in Florida.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
Born in Richford, Tioga County, New York.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1843 [/b]The Rockefellers moved to a farm in Moravia, New York.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1849 [/b]Following allegations of rape, Bill and his family moved to Owego, New York.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1853 [/b]Moved to Cleveland.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1855 [/b]Entered Folsom Mercantile College.[br /]
[br /]
[b]September 26, 1855[/b] Got a job as assistant bookkeeper with Hewitt and Tuttle.[br /]
[br /]
[b]March 18, 1859[/b] Formed Clark and Rockefeller, commission merchants.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1863 [/b]Entered oil business, formed Andrews, Clark and Company.[br /]
[br /]
[b]September 8, 1864[/b] Married Laura Celestia Spelman.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1865 [/b]Formed Rockefeller and Andrews, Cleveland's largest refinery.[br /]
Laura gave birth to Elizabeth.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1868 [/b]Struck a deal with a railroad, guaranteeing a certain volume in exchange for rebates.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1870 [/b]Formed the Standard Oil Company.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1871 [/b]Laura gave birth to Alta.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1872 [/b]Laura gave birth to Edith.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1874 [/b]Laura gave birth to John D Jr.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1879 [/b]Was numbered among the 20 richest men.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1882 [/b]Standard Oil Trust formed.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1889 [/b]Eliza, his mother died.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1892 [/b]Standard Oil Trust dissolved.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1895 [/b]Retired from business.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1901 [/b]Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research is created.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1902 [/b]General Education Board was formed to promote education.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1906 [/b]John's father died.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1909 [/b]Laura confined to a wheelchair.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1913 [/b]Rockefeller Foundation incorporated.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1915 [/b]Laura died.[br /]
[br /]
[b]May 23, 1937[/b] Rockefeller died in Florida.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
Not Available
• I had no ambition to make a fortune. Mere money-making has never been my goal, I had an ambition to build.[br /]
[br /]
• Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation, every possession, a duty.[br /]
[br /]
• I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.[br /]
[br /]
• I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the working day to the making of money for money’s sake.[br /]
[br /]
• I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
• Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation, every possession, a duty.[br /]
[br /]
• I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.[br /]
[br /]
• I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the working day to the making of money for money’s sake.[br /]
[br /]
• I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[b]DESIGNER OF HIS FORTUNE[/b][br /]
[br /]
It is normal for a person born in a business family to prove himself by earning in thousands or millions. But Rockefeller was not the son of a tycoon; he was not even the son of a businessman. In fact he was the son of a rogue, leading a double life - one as William (or Big Bill) Rockefeller and the other as Dr Levingston. William could not have taught or preached his children rules of morality, but would have certainly taught them the rules that governed all monetary transactions. Credit certainly goes to John that he took only the best from his father and rose to such a height in his life. It certainly requires a lot more than ‘Lady Luck’ to be able to rise from humble beginnings to such dizzy financial heights of success.[br /]
[br /]
[b]A GREAT DONOR[/b][br /]
[br /]
It's a wonder that in spite of earning a fortune, Rockefeller remained hard working, honest and charitable throughout his life. Since a very young age, he was in the habit of giving a portion of his earnings to charity. This habit continued all throughout his life. He believed it to be "every man’s religious duty to get all he can honestly and to give all he can." But he was not willing to give if the other party did not try and raise the money too. He devised a method by which the receiving party too would he involved in the fund raising. The University of Chicago was founded when Rockefeller pledged $6,00,000 of the first $10,00,000, if others pledged the remaining $4,00,000 within 90 days. Over the next 20 years, he helped build the institution, but always on the condition that others too join in its support. His total contribution to the University came to about $35,00,000 before he withdrew from further activity there, believing it to be "the property of the people, (it) should be controlled, conducted and supported by the people." [br /]
[br /]
To manage his funds better and to see that they were put to maximum use, Rockefeller devised a method of charitable corporations. These were to be managed and governed by trustees and officers who would see that the funds under their care were put to the best use. Under the able guidance of Rev. Frederick T Gates, director of American Baptist Education Society, Rockefeller formed the corporation and established institutions that are landmarks in science, medicine, public health and education.[br /]
[br /]
IFounded in 1901, The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (now The Rockefeller University), has given to this world revolutionary knowledge in biology related disciplines. Its primary purpose was to help the world combat sickness by discovering the causes, methods of prevention and cure for diseases. The scientists of this institution have come through with new knowledge and techniques to help cure diseases. Some of the major breakthroughs are the serum treatment of spinal meningitis and pneumonia, knowledge of the cause and manner of infection in infantile paralysis, the nature of the virus causing epidemic influenza, blood vessel surgery, a treatment for African sleeping sickness, the first demonstration of the preservation of blood for subsequent transfusion, the first demonstration of how nerve cells flow from the brain to other areas of the body, the discovery that a virus can cause cancer in fowls, peptide synthesis and identification of DNA as the crucial genetic material.[br /]
[br /]
[b]THE GENERAL EDUCATION BOARD[/b][br /]
[br /]
For the "promotion of education within the United States of America without the distinction of race, sex or creed", the General Education Board (GEB) was established in 1902. It worked for the improvement of education at all levels and helped schools for both White and African–American students, specially in the South - the 4-H Club movement and the federal programs of farm and home extension grew out of the Board’s work. Over $325,000,000 were distributed by the GEB before it was dissolved in 1965.[br /]
[br /]
[b]THE ROCKEFELLER SANITARY COMMISSION[/b][br /]
[br /]
Rockefeller combined his interest in public health and the African–American community of the South by creating the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission for the Eradication of Hookworm Disease in 1909. The Hookworm disease was very much prevalent in the 11 Southern States. This commission wanted to bring about "a co-operative movement of the medical profession, public health officials, boards of trade, churches, schools, the press and other agencies for the cure and prevention of hookworm disease." The Commission successfully launched a massive campaign against the disease through public education and medication. Over 25,000 public meetings were held, in which facts about hookworm and its prevention were explained. The work done by the Commission was so successful that a new agency was created to work in other countries and for other diseases. The Commission was active till 1915.[br /]
[br /]
[b]THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION[/b][br /]
[br /]
The Rockefeller Foundation (RF), established in 1913, has a board commitment base, to "promote the well-being of mankind throughout the world." Through the years, the foundation has provided assistance to promote public health, medical education, increasing food production, scientific advancement, social research, the arts and many other fields.[br /]
[br /]
The foundation has not confined itself to a particular area or country. It is working to fight various diseases in 52 countries in six continents and 29 islands. It is developing public health schools in the US and 21 other countries. Its program in Mexico has led to the "Green Revolution" that has become a popular campaign today, around the world. It encourages advance studies and research by offering fellowships and scholarships to thousands of scientists and scholars from the world over. It supports such organizations, like the National Bureau of Economic Research, The Brookings Institution, The Council on Foreign Relations and Russian Institute at Columbia University. It also encourages the arts and artists and has helped establish the StratfRord Shakespearean Festival in Ontario, Canada, The American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut, Arena Stage in Washington DC, Karamu House in Cleveland and The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York.[br /]
[br /]
[b]GOD'S GIFT FOR THE PEOPLE[/b][br /]
[br /]
Apart from these, Rockefeller made personal donations to various colleges and universities (which included Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Spelman, Bryn Mawr, Wellesley and Vassar), theological schools, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, San Francisco earthquake victims, the Anti-Saloon League, Rockefeller Park and other parks in Cleveland, Baptist Missionary organizations and various YMCAs and YWCAs.[br /]
[br /]
Not everyone can give away $530,000,000, as donation and Rockefeller will be long remembered for the work he has done. He believed that "the power to make money is a gift of God," and that his earnings should be used for "the good of my fellow man … according to my conscience." He followed his conscience and tried to make this world a little better place to live in, for us.[br /]
[br /]
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It is normal for a person born in a business family to prove himself by earning in thousands or millions. But Rockefeller was not the son of a tycoon; he was not even the son of a businessman. In fact he was the son of a rogue, leading a double life - one as William (or Big Bill) Rockefeller and the other as Dr Levingston. William could not have taught or preached his children rules of morality, but would have certainly taught them the rules that governed all monetary transactions. Credit certainly goes to John that he took only the best from his father and rose to such a height in his life. It certainly requires a lot more than ‘Lady Luck’ to be able to rise from humble beginnings to such dizzy financial heights of success.[br /]
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[b]A GREAT DONOR[/b][br /]
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It's a wonder that in spite of earning a fortune, Rockefeller remained hard working, honest and charitable throughout his life. Since a very young age, he was in the habit of giving a portion of his earnings to charity. This habit continued all throughout his life. He believed it to be "every man’s religious duty to get all he can honestly and to give all he can." But he was not willing to give if the other party did not try and raise the money too. He devised a method by which the receiving party too would he involved in the fund raising. The University of Chicago was founded when Rockefeller pledged $6,00,000 of the first $10,00,000, if others pledged the remaining $4,00,000 within 90 days. Over the next 20 years, he helped build the institution, but always on the condition that others too join in its support. His total contribution to the University came to about $35,00,000 before he withdrew from further activity there, believing it to be "the property of the people, (it) should be controlled, conducted and supported by the people." [br /]
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To manage his funds better and to see that they were put to maximum use, Rockefeller devised a method of charitable corporations. These were to be managed and governed by trustees and officers who would see that the funds under their care were put to the best use. Under the able guidance of Rev. Frederick T Gates, director of American Baptist Education Society, Rockefeller formed the corporation and established institutions that are landmarks in science, medicine, public health and education.[br /]
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IFounded in 1901, The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (now The Rockefeller University), has given to this world revolutionary knowledge in biology related disciplines. Its primary purpose was to help the world combat sickness by discovering the causes, methods of prevention and cure for diseases. The scientists of this institution have come through with new knowledge and techniques to help cure diseases. Some of the major breakthroughs are the serum treatment of spinal meningitis and pneumonia, knowledge of the cause and manner of infection in infantile paralysis, the nature of the virus causing epidemic influenza, blood vessel surgery, a treatment for African sleeping sickness, the first demonstration of the preservation of blood for subsequent transfusion, the first demonstration of how nerve cells flow from the brain to other areas of the body, the discovery that a virus can cause cancer in fowls, peptide synthesis and identification of DNA as the crucial genetic material.[br /]
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[b]THE GENERAL EDUCATION BOARD[/b][br /]
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For the "promotion of education within the United States of America without the distinction of race, sex or creed", the General Education Board (GEB) was established in 1902. It worked for the improvement of education at all levels and helped schools for both White and African–American students, specially in the South - the 4-H Club movement and the federal programs of farm and home extension grew out of the Board’s work. Over $325,000,000 were distributed by the GEB before it was dissolved in 1965.[br /]
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[b]THE ROCKEFELLER SANITARY COMMISSION[/b][br /]
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Rockefeller combined his interest in public health and the African–American community of the South by creating the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission for the Eradication of Hookworm Disease in 1909. The Hookworm disease was very much prevalent in the 11 Southern States. This commission wanted to bring about "a co-operative movement of the medical profession, public health officials, boards of trade, churches, schools, the press and other agencies for the cure and prevention of hookworm disease." The Commission successfully launched a massive campaign against the disease through public education and medication. Over 25,000 public meetings were held, in which facts about hookworm and its prevention were explained. The work done by the Commission was so successful that a new agency was created to work in other countries and for other diseases. The Commission was active till 1915.[br /]
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[b]THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION[/b][br /]
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The Rockefeller Foundation (RF), established in 1913, has a board commitment base, to "promote the well-being of mankind throughout the world." Through the years, the foundation has provided assistance to promote public health, medical education, increasing food production, scientific advancement, social research, the arts and many other fields.[br /]
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The foundation has not confined itself to a particular area or country. It is working to fight various diseases in 52 countries in six continents and 29 islands. It is developing public health schools in the US and 21 other countries. Its program in Mexico has led to the "Green Revolution" that has become a popular campaign today, around the world. It encourages advance studies and research by offering fellowships and scholarships to thousands of scientists and scholars from the world over. It supports such organizations, like the National Bureau of Economic Research, The Brookings Institution, The Council on Foreign Relations and Russian Institute at Columbia University. It also encourages the arts and artists and has helped establish the StratfRord Shakespearean Festival in Ontario, Canada, The American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut, Arena Stage in Washington DC, Karamu House in Cleveland and The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York.[br /]
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[b]GOD'S GIFT FOR THE PEOPLE[/b][br /]
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Apart from these, Rockefeller made personal donations to various colleges and universities (which included Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Spelman, Bryn Mawr, Wellesley and Vassar), theological schools, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, San Francisco earthquake victims, the Anti-Saloon League, Rockefeller Park and other parks in Cleveland, Baptist Missionary organizations and various YMCAs and YWCAs.[br /]
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Not everyone can give away $530,000,000, as donation and Rockefeller will be long remembered for the work he has done. He believed that "the power to make money is a gift of God," and that his earnings should be used for "the good of my fellow man … according to my conscience." He followed his conscience and tried to make this world a little better place to live in, for us.[br /]
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