John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
From Wikinfo
John Davison Rockefeller, Jr., born January 29, 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States - died May 11, 1960 in Tucson, Arizona, was a philanthropist.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was the fifth child and only son of John D. Rockefeller, one of the wealthiest Americans of his time. The younger John D. attended Brown University, and then briefly joined his father's business. Finding the business world to be uninteresting, he turned his attention to philanthropy. He (along with others in his family) created the Rockefeller Foundation, founded Rockefeller University, and constructed the Rockefeller Center in New York City. He also funded the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg, and donated the land on which the United Nations headquarters was built.
On October 9, 1901, he married Abby Greene Aldrich, whose father was U.S. Senator Nelson W. Aldrich of Rhode Island. Six children were born to the couple: a daughter, Abby, and five sons, John D. 3rd, Nelson, Laurance, Winthrop and David Rockefeller. Two of their children, Nelson Rockefeller and Winthrop Rockefeller, both became state governors.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. devoted his life mainly to philanthropic and civic activities, in particular to those designed to advance human welfare and to further international, interfaith and interracial ideas. Although a staunch Baptist, he followed no sectarian lines in his contributions to religious causes. Roman Catholic and Jewish organizations were among those receiving gifts.
He had a special interest in conservation, and purchased and donated land for many American National Parks, including Grand Teton, Acadia, Great Smoky, Yosemite, and Shenandoah. As well, he donated the land along the East River in Manhattan for the site of the United Nations headquarters.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. is interred in the Rockefeller Family Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York.
References
- Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "John_D._Rockefeller,_Jr." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_D._Rockefeller,_Jr., used under the GNU Free Documentation License
