The Rise and Legacy of America's Richest Man

John D. Rockefeller was a man of great wealth and power, and his name is still recognised and revered today, over a century after his death. He was born in 1839 in Richford, New York, the second of six children. His father, William Avery Rockefeller, was a travelling salesman who frequently left the family to pursue his business interests, and his mother, Eliza Davison Rockefeller, was a devout Baptist who instilled in her children a strong sense of religious faith.

As a young boy, John D. Rockefeller showed a keen business sense, and he was always looking for ways to make money. At the age of 14, he started his own business selling candy and other small items to his neighbours. He quickly realised that the key to success in business was to buy low and sell high, and he began to apply this principle to everything he did.

After finishing school, Rockefeller worked as a bookkeeper for a local firm, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become a junior partner. However, he soon realised that he could make more money by starting his own business, and in 1862 he formed a partnership with two other men to create a firm that bought and sold grain, hay and other agricultural products.

The business was a success, but Rockefeller was always looking for new opportunities. He soon realised that the real money was to be made in oil, which was just beginning to be widely used as a fuel source. Rockefeller saw an opportunity to consolidate the oil industry, which was then fragmented and inefficient, and he set out to create a company that would control every aspect of the oil business, from exploration and production to refining and marketing.

In 1870, Rockefeller and his partners formed the Standard Oil Company, which quickly became the dominant force in the oil industry. Rockefeller was a master of efficiency and organisation, and he used his skills to create a vertically integrated company that controlled every aspect of the oil business. He bought up small oil companies and refineries, and he used his control over transportation and distribution to drive down costs and crush his competitors.

At its peak, Standard Oil controlled 90% of the oil refining capacity in the United States, and it was widely regarded as a monopoly. However, Rockefeller defended his business practices by arguing that they were necessary to achieve efficiency and to provide the public with a reliable source of affordable oil.

Rockefeller became one of the richest men in history, and he used his wealth to pursue his many philanthropic interests. He donated millions of dollars to medical research, education and the arts, and he was a major supporter of the Baptist church. He also created the Rockefeller Foundation, which remains one of the world's largest philanthropic organisations.

However, Rockefeller's wealth and power also made him a target of criticism and controversy. He was accused of exploiting workers and destroying small businesses, and he was widely criticised for his ruthless business practices. He was also a target of political attacks, and he was investigated by the US government for antitrust violations.

Despite these controversies, Rockefeller remained a powerful figure until his death in 1937 at the age of 97. He left behind a legacy of immense wealth and philanthropy, but also a legacy of controversy and criticism. His life and career remain a subject of fascination and study, as he remains one of the most influential figures in American business history.

John D. Rockefeller was a man of great wealth, power and influence. He started his career as a candy salesman, but soon became a pioneer of the oil industry, creating the Standard Oil Company and controlling 90% of the oil refining capacity in the United States. Rockefeller was also a major philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to medical research, education and the arts. However, his ruthless business practices and controversial legacy continue to be studied and debated to this day.