Rockefeller

Rockefeller, family of U.S. financiers and politicians. John Davison Rockefeller (1839–1937) entered the infant oil industry in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of 24 and ruthlessly unified the oil industry into the Standard Oil Trust. He devoted a large part of his later life to philanthropy, creating the Rockefeller Foundation. John Davison Rockefeller, Jr. (1874–1960), only son of John D. Rockefeller, followed his father's business and charitable interests. He donated the land for the UN headquarters and helped found the Rockefeller Center in New York City. John Davison Rockefeller, 3rd (1906–78) first son of John, Jr., helped establish New York City's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the United Negro College Fund. Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (1908–79), second son of John, Jr., governor of N.Y. 1959–73, was appointed U.S. vice president in 1974. He sought presidential nomination in 1960, 1964, and 1968. He expanded transportation, welfare, housing, and other social services in N.Y. Winthrop Rockefeller (1912–73), fourth son of John, Jr., was Republican governor of Arkansas (1967–71). David Rockefeller (1915– ), youngest son of John, Jr., was president of the Chase Manhattan Bank and chairman of Rockefeller University. John Davison “Jay” Rockefeller, 4th (1937– ), grandson of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., became Democratic governor of West Virginia in 1977 and 1980 and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1985.