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Having given away most of his money, Rockefeller left behind an estate of $26.4 million, showing that he had recouped his stock-market losses after the 1929 crash. Most of his estate took the form of U.S. Treasury notes, though he had retained, for sentimental reasons, one share of Standard Oil of California marked “Certificate No. 1.” The fabulous oil wealth of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait would be tapped within a year of Rockefeller’s death, ensuring the preeminent place of petroleum in the twentieth-century economy. Sixty years after their founder’s death, four of the Standard Oil successor firms—Exxon, Mobil, Amoco, and Chevron—numbered among the fifty largest companies on earth.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · Standard Oil · California · Exxon · Mobil · Saudi Arabia · U.S. Treasury · Amoco · Chevron · Kuwait
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To an extent that would have seemed inconceivable in Ida Tarbell’s heyday, the newspaper obituaries dwelled on Rockefeller the benign philanthropist, not Rockefeller the ferocious trust king. He was “the world’s greatest philanthropist and organizer in the science of giving,” said one editorial. Most striking was that the laudatory comments emanated from across the political spectrum and included those who had jousted with him in the past. Attorney Samuel Untermyer issued this paean to the elusive witness he had interrogated: “Next to our beloved President, he was our country’s biggest citizen. It was he who visualized as did no other man the use to which great wealth could wisely be put. Because of him the world is a better place in which to live. Blessed be the memory of World Citizen No. 1.”
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · Ida M. Tarbell · Samuel Untermyer · World
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In truth, John D. Rockefeller, Sr., had left behind a contradictory legacy. An amalgam of godliness and greed, compassion and fiendish cunning, he personified the ambiguous heritage of America’s Puritan ancestors, who had encouraged thrift and enterprise but had also spurred overly acquisitive instincts. He had extracted mixed messages from his religious training as well as from his incongruously matched parents. Not surprisingly, he had served as an emblem of both corporate greed and philanthropic enlightenment.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · United States
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Starting in the 1870s, Rockefeller’s stewardship of Standard Oil had signaled a new era in American life that had both inspired and alarmed the populace. His unequaled brilliance and rapacity as a businessman had squarely confronted the country with troubling questions about the shape of the economy, the distribution of wealth, and the proper relationship between business and government. Rockefeller perfected a monopoly that indisputably demonstrated the efficiency of large-scale business. In creating new corporate forms, he charted the way for the modern multinational corporations that came to dominate economic life in the twentieth century. But in so doing he also exposed the manifold abuses that could accompany untrammeled economic power, especially in the threat to elected government. As architect of the first great industrial trust, he proved the ultimately fragile nature of free markets, forcing the government to specify the rules that would ensure competition and fair play in the future.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · Standard Oil
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The fiercest robber baron had turned out to be the foremost philanthropist. Rockefeller accelerated the shift from the personal, ad hoc charity that had traditionally been the province of the rich to something both more powerful and more impersonal. He established the promotion of knowledge, especially scientific knowledge, as a task no less important than giving alms to the poor or building schools, hospitals, and museums. He showed the value of expert opinion, thorough planning, and competent administration in nonprofit work, setting a benchmark for professionalism in the emerging foundation field. By the time Rockefeller died, in fact, so much good had unexpectedly flowered from so much evil that God might even have greeted him on the other side, as the titan had so confidently expected all along.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
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Although Junior moved into Kykuit after Rockefeller’s death, he knew that his father was inimitable, and so he decided to retain the Jr. after his name. As he was often heard to say in later years, “There was only one John D. Rockefeller.”
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · John D. Rockefeller, Jr. · Kykuit
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It has taken the kindness of many strangers to explore the labyrinth of materials now available on John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
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Because Rockefeller died in 1937, there are few people today who can provide information from either firsthand experience or hearsay, which made me especially grateful to the family members who spoke with me. David Rockefeller not only sat for an interview but graciously offered a sneak preview of the chapter on his grandfather in his forthcoming memoir. Other descendants of figures discussed in this book—including Nelson Aldrich, Jr., Elizabeth de Cuevas, John de Cuevas, James T. Flexner, Abby O’Neill, Spelman Prentice, Ann Rockefeller Roberts, J. Stillman Rockefeller, and O. Stillman Rockefeller—added shading and nuance to many events. Peter Johnson, the resident historian at the Rockefeller family office, reacted to all of my requests for information in a fine, collegial spirit.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · David Rockefeller · Nelson W. Aldrich · Rockefeller family · Elizabeth de Cuevas · John de Cuevas · James T. Flexner · Abby O’Neill · Spelman Prentice · Ann Rockefeller Roberts · J. Stillman Rockefeller · O. Stillman Rockefeller · Peter Johnson
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My foremost debt is to the staff of the Rockefeller Archive Center, which is situated on the family estate in Sleepy Hollow (formerly North Tarrytown) but is operated by a team of professional archivists under the very able direction of Darwin Stapleton. The center, first opened to researchers in 1975, is a division of the Rockefeller University. I am especially grateful to Tom Rosenbaum, who expertly guided me through the vast trove of documents and had stimulating things to say about so many of them. His help was invaluable and always graciously rendered. Ken Rose was especially adept when it came to Cleveland history, while Valerie Komor was indispensable in elucidating the mystery of Charles and Bessie Strong. Michele Hiltzik and Robert Battaly did yeoman’s work in helping me with the photos. I salute the professionalism of the entire staff and the exemplary work it performs each year for so many scholars.
Names: Elizabeth Rockefeller Strong · Rockefeller Archive Center · Cleveland · Pratt. Charles, Sr. · Rockefeller University · North Tarrytown · Darwin Stapleton · Tom Rosenbaum · Ken Rose · Valerie Komor · Michele Hiltzik · Robert Battaly
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Among other Samaritans who supplied aid and comfort, I would like to single out Jean Ashton and the staff of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Columbia University, which houses the voluminous collection of Rockefeller material in the Allan Nevins papers; Meredith Nevins Mayer, who permitted me to quote from her father’s papers; Ronald Grele and the Columbia University Oral History Project; Barbara T. Zolli, Beth Davidson, and the staff of the Drake Well Museum in Titusville, Pennsylvania, which contains Ida Tarbell’s extensive files on Standard Oil; Caroline Tarbell Tupper, who gave permission to quote from the papers of her grandaunt Ida Tarbell; Harold Miller and the staff of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, which made available the papers of Henry Demarest Lloyd by inter-library loan; John Grabowski and the staff of the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland; William Massa, Jr., of the Manuscripts and Archives Collection at the Yale University Library, who tracked down some critical letters; Daniel Meyer and the Department of Special Collections at the University of Chicago Library; and Letitia Yeandle and Theresa Helein of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., who provided Rockefeller’s correspondence with Henry Clay Folger.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · Ida M. Tarbell · Henry Demarest Lloyd · Allan Nevins · Standard Oil · University of Chicago · Henry Clay Folger · Cleveland · Titusville · Pennsylvania · Washington · Drake Well Museum · Columbia University · State Historical Society of Wisconsin · Western Reserve Historical Society · Folger Shakespeare Library · Jean Ashton · Meredith Nevins Mayer · Ronald Grele · Columbia University Oral History Project · Barbara T. Zolli · Beth Davidson · Caroline Tarbell Tupper · Harold Miller · John Grabowski · William Massa · Yale University Library · Daniel Meyer · Department of Special Collections · Letitia Yeandle · Theresa Helein
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Sir David Simon, the former chairman of British Petroleum, took a special interest in this project and arranged for me to examine the original minute books of Standard Oil of Ohio, which was absorbed by British Petroleum in the 1970s. Dorothy Jankowski, Barbara Rutigliano, and George Dunn served as gracious hosts during my Cleveland visit. Robert Craig Brown, the chairman of the University of Toronto history department, went beyond the call of duty in showering me with information about William Lyon Mackenzie King. I enjoyed the cheerful, efficient help of two delightful people at Spelman College—Tanya Sharpe, the interim director of the archives, and undergraduate Darsheika Giles—who sifted through many unexplored files pertaining to early Rockefeller history. Dr. Deborah Dependahl Waters kindly escorted me on a tour of the Rockefeller rooms at the Museum of the City of New York. Richard Warshauer, George Picon, and John Nesimi allowed me a glimpse of the old Standard Oil offices at 26 Broadway. Cynthia Altman, Carol Moberg, and David Lyons were knowledgeable guides on a stroll around Rockefeller University, while Vicki Manning filled in blanks about the Judson Memorial Church. Peter Kraus of the New York Public Library provided statistical tables for converting figures into contemporary dollars. Jennifer Shaw extracted many interesting articles for me from local libraries. Susan Sacharski, archivist of the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and William Beatty, professor of medical bibliography emeritus at Northwestern University, counseled me in tracking down that phantom, Dr. Charles Johnston. Dr. Josef Jelinek and Alice DeLury provided some needed guidance on Rockefeller’s alopecia.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · William Lyon Mackenzie King · Standard Oil · Spelman Seminary · Standard Oil of Ohio · Charles W. Johnston · Cleveland · Chicago · 26 Broadway · Deborah Dependahl Waters · Rockefeller University · British Petroleum · Judson Memorial Church · Museum of the City of New York · David Simon · Dorothy Jankowski · Barbara Rutigliano · George Dunn · Robert Craig Brown · University of Toronto · Tanya Sharpe · Darsheika Giles · Richard Warshauer · George Picon · John Nesimi · Cynthia Altman · Carol Moberg · David Lyons · Vicki Manning · Peter Kraus · New York Public Library · Jennifer Shaw · Susan Sacharski · Northwestern Memorial Hospital · William Beatty · Northwestern University · Josef Jelinek · Alice DeLury
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Three people in Lakewood—Deborah Kern, chairwoman of the Lakewood Heritage, her husband, Jerome Kern, and Judith Robinson of the Lakewood Public Library—helped to re-create that colorful phase of Rockefeller’s life. Laurel Auchampaugh and Ann Townsend of the Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Society in Moravia, New York, passed along some piquant folklore about Rockefeller’s childhood and secretly initiated me, in a back room, into the mysteries of Joshua: A Man of the Finger Lakes Region. I was delighted to receive unsolicited aid from George Plimpton, a descendant of General Adelbert Ames, who rounded up background materials on a trip to Ormond Beach. Leslie Bottarelli of the Ormond Beach Community Enrichment Center sent additional information. Jean S. Hoefer of the Stephenson County Genealogical Society and Michael Cline of the Oakland Cemetery in Freeport, Illinois, helped to unravel the mystery of Dr. William Levingston’s last days in that town.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · William Avery Rockefeller · Moravia · New York · Lakewood · Ormond Beach · Freeport · Adelbert Ames · Illinois · Joshua · Finger Lakes · Oakland Cemetery · Lakewood Public Library · Deborah Kern · Lakewood Heritage · Jerome Kern · Judith Robinson · Laurel Auchampaugh · Ann Townsend · George Plimpton · Leslie Bottarelli · Ormond Beach Community Enrichment Center · Jean S. Hoefer · Michael Cline
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The generous Deirdre Bair, now working on a biography of Carl Jung, gave me a road map of Jung scholars who might be of assistance in unearthing the story of Edith and Harold McCormick in Switzerland. William McGuire of Princeton University, the editor of Jung’s Collected Works, dipped into his formidable database on several occasions and came up with splendid discoveries. James Hillman, formerly the director of the Jung Center in Zurich, introduced me to the hilarious memoir of Edith’s chauffeur, Emile Ammann.
Names: Edith Rockefeller McCormick · Harold McCormick · Carl Jung · Princeton University · Zurich · Emile Ammann · William McGuire · Switzerland · Deirdre Bair · Jung’s Collected Works · James Hillman · Jung Center
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James A. Smith and Kathleen McCarthy helped to locate Rockefeller in the broad stream of philanthropic history. Alan Brinkley provided a timely perspective on the often-tangled question of business corruption in American political history. Judith Goldstein deepened my understanding of John D. Rockefeller, Jr.’s conservation work on Mount Desert Island. Other friends who offered welcome advice, referrals, stories, and suggestions include Robert Caro, Jonathan Coss, Andrew Delbanco, Paula Giddings, Robert C. Kochersberger, Jr., the late J. Anthony Lukas, Vincent McGee, John Rousmaniere, Willie Ruff, Tom Ryley, and Scott Sandage.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · John D. Rockefeller, Jr. · Andrew Delbanco · Kathleen McCarthy · John Rousmaniere · Scott Sandage · Mount Desert Island · James A. Smith · Alan Brinkley · Judith Goldstein · Robert Caro · Jonathan Coss · Paula Giddings · Robert C. Kochersberger · J. Anthony Lukas · Vincent McGee · Willie Ruff · Tom Ryley
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Both the research and writing stages of this book proved unexpectedly rich in medical emergencies, and I would like to express special thanks to some superb physicians. Dr. Eric Rackow, chief of medicine at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, and Dr. Jay Weinstein helped to rescue me from a nasty brush with a blood clot. They consulted closely with my brother, Dr. Bart Chernow, now a vice dean at the Johns Hopkins Medical School. I would also like to thank Dr. Dennis Fabian of Saint Vincent’s for operating on my knee and Dr. Jonathan Deland of the Hospital for Special Surgery for operating on my foot.
Names: Johns Hopkins Medical School · Bart Chernow · Eric Rackow · Saint Vincent’s Hospital · Jay Weinstein · Dennis Fabian · Saint Vincent · Jonathan Deland · Hospital for Special Surgery
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Alberto Vitale, Harold Evans, and the other Random House executives generously supported this project from the outset. I would like to extend special thanks to S. I. Newhouse, Jr., for his early encouragement. My editor, Ann Godoff, found time in her busy schedule to combine fine, tough, old-fashioned editing with her usual bountiful enthusiasm. I am grateful to her assistant, Enrica Gadler, for many small favors performed over the years. Gaby Bordwin created the outstanding cover for the book, while Jim Lambert did his usual fine work on the interior design. Benjamin Dreyer was the soul of patience in supervising the copyediting process, and Timothy Mennel did an outstanding job copyediting the manuscript. Melanie Jackson continues to define my notion of the ideal agent. Each year, she improves just when I thought that she had already attained perfection. My parents were, as usual, unstinting in both their love and support. The single most important figure in the creation of this book was my wife, Valerie, who again endured the prolonged periods of insanity that overtook her obsessed husband. More than just a lovely martyr, she was my dinner-table muse, bedtime confidante, and most perceptive critic. Her editorial contribution to this biography cannot be overstated, for she enabled me to find that often elusive voice—neither too sympathetic nor too sharp—that would best capture the complexities of Rockefeller’s character. Chapeau, my dear.
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · Random House · Ann Godoff · Valerie · Alberto Vitale · Harold Evans · S. I. Newhouse · Enrica Gadler · Gaby Bordwin · Jim Lambert · Benjamin Dreyer · Timothy Mennel · Melanie Jackson · Chapeau
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AN—Allan Nevins Papers, Butler Library, Columbia University, New York, New York
Names: Allan Nevins · New York · Columbia University · Butler Library
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CUOH–ABF—Columbia University Oral History Collection, Abraham B. Flexner interview
Names: CUOH · ABF · Columbia University Oral History Collection · Abraham B. Flexner
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CUOH–PM—Columbia University Oral History Collection, Paul Manship interview
Names: Paul Manship · CUOH · Columbia University Oral History Collection
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FSL—Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C.
Names: Washington · Folger Shakespeare Library · FSL
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HDL—Henry Demarest Lloyd Papers, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Names: Wisconsin · State Historical Society of Wisconsin · Madison · HDL—Henry Demarest Lloyd Papers
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IMT—Ida Minerva Tarbell Papers, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Drake Well Museum Collection, Titusville, Pennsylvania
Names: Ida M. Tarbell · Titusville · Pennsylvania · IMT · Drake Well Museum · Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission
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RAC—Rockefeller Archive Center, Sleepy Hollow, New York. Papers of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and other family members
Names: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. · John D. Rockefeller, Jr. · Rockefeller Archive Center · New York
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RAC–CAS—Rockefeller Archive Center, Charles A. Strong Papers
Names: Rockefeller Archive Center · CAS · Charles A. Strong Papers
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RAC–FTG—Rockefeller Archive Center, Frederick T. Gates Papers
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SOCMB—Standard Oil Company Minute Books, BP America, Cleveland, Ohio
Names: Cleveland · SOCMB · Standard Oil Company Minute Books · BP America
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UC–JDR—University of Chicago, John D. Rockefeller Papers
Names: University of Chicago · J.D.R. · John D. Rockefeller Papers
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UC–UPP—University of Chicago, University Presidents’ Papers
Names: UPP—University of Chicago
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B = Box
Names:
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F = File
Names:
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1. Wells, The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind, p. 454.
Names: Wells
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1. RAC, Inglis interview, p. 1062.
Source: Ron Chernow, Titan. Names and relationships retain the full atlas’s extraction limits. Map points are references; historical sites and regions can be approximate. Open the full interactive atlas.