John Davison Rockefeller Jr. was an American financier and philanthropist. He was the only son of Standard Oil co-founder John Davison Rockefeller Sr. He graduated from Brown University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1897 and became a director of Standard Oil in October of that same year. He later also became a director of thevJ. P. Morgan's U.S. Steel company, but he resigned from both companies in 1910, following a bribery scandal involving John Dustin Archbold (successor to Senior as head of Standard Oil) and two members of Congress. In 1914, at least 20 men, women, and children died in the incident known as the Ludlow Massacre at a coal mine. Rockefeller owned a controlling interest in the company and was a board member. In JanuarJohn Davison Rockefeller Jr. was an American financier and philanthropist. He was the only son of Standard Oil co-founder John Davison Rockefeller Sr. He graduated from Brown University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1897 and became a director of Standard Oil in October of that same year. He later also became a director of thevJ. P. Morgan's U.S. Steel company, but he resigned from both companies in 1910, following a bribery scandal involving John Dustin Archbold (successor to Senior as head of Standard Oil) and two members of Congress. In 1914, at least 20 men, women, and children died in the incident known as the Ludlow Massacre at a coal mine. Rockefeller owned a controlling interest in the company and was a board member. In January 1915 Junior was called to testify before the Commission on Industrial Relations. Junior was aware that the family was losing public support, and went to Colorado to personally meet with the miners and listen to their grievances. This was the beginning of a new era of industrial relations in the U.S., the conflict was resolved and the reputation of the Rockefeller family was restored. In the following years Junior build a financial empire, being the greatest shareholder of the Equitable Trust Company, and remaining so after the merge with Chase National Bank. And he also became one of the largest real estate holders in New York City by financing the Rockefeller Center, a vast office complex in midtown Manhattan. Rockefeller Jr. was also one of the greatest philanthropists ever, giving more than $537 million to numerous causes worldwide over his lifetime....more
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