Laurance Rockefeller

Laurance Rockefeller was a member of the prominent Rockefeller family and a financier, philanthropist, and conservationist. He was the fourth child of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, and the grandson of John D. Rockefeller. Laurance Rockefeller was born in New York City and spent his childhood in Westchester County, New York, and Ormond Beach, Florida. He was educated at Loomis Chaffee School and later attended Harvard University, where he graduated in 1932 with a degree in economics from the Harvard College.

● Early Life and Education

Laurance Rockefeller grew up surrounded by the Rockefeller family's wealth and influence, with his father, John D. Rockefeller Jr., being a prominent businessman and philanthropist. He was particularly close to his mother, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, who was a co-founder of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. Laurance Rockefeller's early life was marked by frequent travels to Europe and Asia, where he developed an interest in conservation and the natural world. He attended Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut, and later enrolled at Harvard University, where he studied economics under the guidance of professors such as Joseph Schumpeter and John Kenneth Galbraith. During his time at Harvard University, Laurance Rockefeller was also exposed to the ideas of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, which would later influence his own approach to business and philanthropy.

● Business Career

Laurance Rockefeller began his business career in the 1930s, working for the family's Chase National Bank and later becoming a partner at the Venezuelan Oil Concessions, a company founded by his brother, Nelson Rockefeller. He also invested in various other ventures, including the Eastern Air Lines and the International Nickel Company. In the 1950s and 1960s, Laurance Rockefeller played a key role in the development of the jet airliner industry, working closely with companies such as Boeing and Douglas Aircraft Company. He was also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission, where he interacted with other influential business leaders and policymakers, including Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski.

● Conservation Efforts

Laurance Rockefeller was a passionate advocate for conservation and the environmental movement. He worked closely with organizations such as the National Park Service and the Sierra Club to protect and preserve natural areas, including the Grand Teton National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the 1960s, he played a key role in the establishment of the American Conservation Association, which aimed to promote wildlife conservation and sustainable development. Laurance Rockefeller also supported the work of Rachel Carson, author of the influential book Silent Spring, and was a close friend of Stewart Udall, the United States Secretary of the Interior during the Kennedy administration.

● Philanthropy

Laurance Rockefeller was a dedicated philanthropist, supporting a wide range of causes and organizations throughout his life. He was a major donor to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the New York City Ballet, and also supported the work of the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. In the 1960s and 1970s, he worked closely with the United Nations to promote sustainable development and environmental protection, and was a key supporter of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Laurance Rockefeller also supported the work of Norman Cousins, a prominent peace activist and editor of the Saturday Review, and was a close friend of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States.

● Personal Life

Laurance Rockefeller married Mary French Rockefeller in 1934, and the couple had four children together, including Jay Rockefeller, who later became a United States Senator from West Virginia. Laurance Rockefeller was known for his love of flying and sailing, and was an accomplished pilot and yachtsman. He was also a close friend of Charles Lindbergh and Juan Trippe, the founder of Pan American World Airways. Throughout his life, Laurance Rockefeller maintained a strong commitment to public service and philanthropy, and was recognized for his contributions to conservation and sustainable development with numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s Champion of the Earth award. Category:American philanthropists