Rockefeller, John Davison

Rockefeller, John Davison (1839-1937), American businessman.

John D. Rockefeller began work as a clerk at the age of sixteen, but later started a grain business.

At the age of twenty-three, he entered the oil industry and by 1882, he controlled most of the oil industry in the United States.

He was the richest man in the world. Afterwards he gave away over 500 million dollars and started the Rockefeller Foundation 'to promote the well-being of mankind throughout the world.'

Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. ~ Ron Chernow