Rockefeller family

The Rockefeller family, founded by John Davison Rockefeller (1839-1937) and his brother William Rockefeller (1841-1922), made a fortune in the oil business during the latter part of the 19th century primarily through their Standard Oil Company. The family became one of the great philanthropic families in the United States, and members have held high public offices including Vice President of the United States, held by Nelson Rockefeller.

Legacy

At its peak, John D. Rockefeller's personal fortune was estimated at almost $1 billion of which he reportedly gave away more than half. The Rockefeller name is imprinted on a number of places throughout the United States, most notably in New York City.

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• The Rockefeller Center - a New York City building complex
• The Rockefeller Foundation - a charitable organization
• Either of two congressional committees (in 1972 and 1975) dubbed the Rockefeller Commission.
• He formed and funded the Bureau of Social Hygiene for the scientific study of prostitution (which he viewed as a vice associated with feeble-mindedness and disease).

The Rockefeller family donated some sizable sums towards the rebuilding of France after World War I. For this reason, it is still considered a comparison point for extreme wealth ("rich like Rockefeller"); this usage is now dated and fading out.

Related Topics:
France - World War I

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The Rockefeller family was also responsible for the creation and endowment of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation which operates the restored area at Williamsburg, Virginia.

Related Topics:
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation - Williamsburg, Virginia

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Donation leading to the formation of University of Chicago, the Nobel Prize Winning Power in 1890 where the first American Nobel Prize was produced in 1907.http://www-news.uchicago.edu/resources/nobel/

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International politics

The Rockefellers have been involved heavily in international politics, and have donated money or have been involved in the following institutions:

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• The Trilateral Commission
• The Council on Foreign Relations
• The Round table groups
• The United Nations
• The Bilderberg Group