John D Rockefeller Research Paper

Matthew Mail

Miss Goodwin

History 9C

18 March 2016

The Philanthropy of John D. Rockefeller

John D. Rockefeller is not only known for being America’s first billionaire, but also for being one of the greatest philanthropist ever. Rockefeller’s dedication to philanthropy, or desire to promote the welfare of others, would be started at a young age. At age sixteen, after looking for six weeks, Rockefeller received his first important job opportunity. On September 26, 1855 he went to an interview for a bookkeeping job with Hewitt & Tuttle Shipping and was “given a chance” by the owners of the company. This day would become an important day for Rockefeller and he would remember this day through his life as

Winston Churchill, famous Prime Minister of England said, “When history passes its final verdict on Rockefeller, it may well be that his endowment of research will be recognized as a milestone in the progress of the race….Science today owes as much to the rich men of generosity and discernment as the art of the Renaissance owes to the patronage of Popes and Princes. Of these rich men, John D. Rockefeller is the supreme type,” while talking about Rockefeller (Chernow, preface). This shows how people saw his role in medical research as well as his impact on it. After his retirement, Rockefeller would hire an assistant, Frederick T. Gates, to manage his philanthropy. Gates encouraged him to donate money to help medical research and in 1901, after four years of thinking, Rockefeller would start the Rockefeller Institution for Medical Research. He started of giving only $200 to the institution, but would eventually give more (“The Rockefeller Legacy”). The Rockefeller Institution for Medical Research, or RIMR, would be the source of important medical advancements that are still used. Early on, Hideyo Noguchi discover ground-breaking information on the Syphilis microbe. Payton Rous would also later use Rockefeller’s money to find viral causes of cancer (“The Rockefeller Legacy”). The most important discovery was Simon Flexner’s, director of RIMR, discovery of an antiserum for

Ron Chernow, a well-known biographer, wrote “his eyes darted around the room as he selected needy recipients of his charity. Taking small envelopes from his pocket, he slipped in some money, wrote the congregants’ names on top, then unobtrusively pressed these gifts into their palms as they shook hands and said goodbye,” while talking about Rockefeller (Chernow, preface). This helps describe the overall generosity of Rockefeller to people that he felt were in need. In the 1880’s, he would receive thousands of letters a week, requesting donations, from all different types of people. He wrote about his thoughts on the letters when he said, “I am so constituted as to be unable to give away money with any satisfaction until I have made the most careful inquiry as to the worthiness of the cause” (“Letters Requesting Donations”). This meant that he wanted to give his money to those who were worthy. In one letter a man wrote, “ Reading from time to time, in the papers, of your immense wealth, and of the much good you are doing in the world, I have been led to enquire, if it is possible you are a cousin of mine” (“Letters Requesting Donations”). This shows how well-known Rockefeller’s philanthropy was and how some people tried to take advantage of it. According to the index cards Rockefeller kept of his donations, he had donated to 678 different people ( "John D. Rockefeller’s Charity Index Cards"). He donated to