John D. RockefellerJohn D. Rockefeller lived from 1839-1937. He was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, one of the world’s wealthiest men and a philanthropist. In 1870, he established Standard Oil, which by the early 1880's controlled 90 percent of U.S. refineries and pipelines. During his life Rockefeller donated more than $500 million to various philanthropic causes. Rockefeller was important during this time period because he was a big business investor that controlled a valuable resource and had a prominent figure.
"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature." - John D. Rockefeller |
Cornelius VanderbuiltShipping and railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt lived from 1794-1877. He was a self-made multi-millionaire who became one of the wealthiest Americans of the 19th century. Vanderbilt went into business for himself in the late 1820's, and became one of the largest steamship operators. He gained a reputation for being fiercely competitive and ruthless. In the 1860's, he went into the railroad industry where he built another empire. Vanderbilt was important to history at this time because he helped develop a better transportation by railroads.
"I don't care half as much about making money as I do about making my point, and coming out ahead."- Cornelius Vanderbilt |
Andrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835, in Scotland. By 1889, he owned Carnegie Steel Corporation, the largest in the world. In 1901, he sold his business and dedicated his time to expanding his philanthropic work, including the establishment of Carnegie-Mellon University in 1904.
'Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community..' - Andrew Carnegie |
Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell lived from 1847-1922. He was a Scottish American scientist and the inventor of the telephone. Bell was granted the first official patent for his telephone in March 1876. Bell continued his scientific work for the rest of his life, and used his success and wealth to establish various research centers nationwide. Bell is important to this time in history because his invention has helped develop what we use everyday: cellphones.
"When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us." - Alexander Graham Bell |
"Alexander Graham Bell." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
"Alexander Graham Bell." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
"Andrew Carnegie" Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
"Cornelius Vanderbilt." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
"John D. Rockefeller." History.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
"Alexander Graham Bell." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
"Andrew Carnegie" Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
"Cornelius Vanderbilt." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
"John D. Rockefeller." History.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.