J D Rockefeller

John Davison Rockefeller Sr. was an American business magnate and philanthropist, widely considered the wealthiest American of all time.

Born in 1839, he founded the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust.

Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of modern philanthropy.

He spent the last 40 years of his life in retirement, using his fortune to create foundations that had a significant effect on medicine, education, and scientific research.

His business practices and tremendous wealth made him one of the most controversial figures in American history.