John Davison Rockefeller Sr. (1839-1937) was one of the foremost American businessmen and philanthropists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The founder of Standard Oil Company, he was often criticized for the ruthless business tactics that enabled him to dominate the U.S. oil industry, and eventually his oil empire was broken up under the antitrust laws. However, like Andrew Carnegie, he gave away vast sums from his enormous fortune and became known as much for his philanthropy as for his role as the "robber baron" of Standard Oil.
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- American Experience: The Rockefellers This companion site to the PBS television program explores the story of John D. Rockefeller and of the heirs to his fortune. Includes program synopsis, transcript, documents, bibliography, and teachers' guide.
- On This Day: Obituary Rockefeller's obituary from the New York Times, 1937.
- John D. Rockefeller and the Standard Oil Company Discusses Rockefeller's life, the oil industry of his era, the growth of Standard Oil, and Rockefeller's business practices. By Francois Micheloud. Includes photos, bibliography, and French version of text.
- John D. Rockefeller and Civic Affairs in Cleveland Discusses Rockefeller's support for civic and charitable organizations in the city where he spent part of his boyhood. Article by Paul Hillmer from the Spring 2000 issue of Research Reports from the Rockefeller Archive Center.
- Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: Rockefeller, John D. Rockefeller began his career in Cleveland. This biographical article includes links to related entries in the encyclopedia.