David Rockefeller
David Rockefeller
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
David Rockefeller was born on June 12, 1915, in New York City, to John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abigail "Abby" Greene Aldrich Rockefeller. He is commonly known as David or "Ned" to friends and family.
Birth and Death Dates
June 12, 1915 – March 20, 2017
Nationality and Profession(s)
David Rockefeller was an American banker, philanthropist, and member of the wealthy and influential Rockefeller family. He held dual citizenship in both the United States and France.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a prominent family with strong business ties, David's early life was marked by exposure to banking and finance from a young age. His grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, co-founded Standard Oil, which dominated the oil industry at the time. This legacy instilled in David an understanding of global economics and the role of commerce in shaping societies.
As a child, David attended Pocantico Hills School in Tarrytown, New York, where he developed an interest in history and philosophy. After graduating from Harvard University in 1936 with a degree in Economics, David joined the family business, eventually becoming a senior executive at Chase Manhattan Bank (now JPMorgan Chase).
Major Accomplishments
David's professional career spanned over six decades, with key milestones including:
Leading a delegation to China in 1973 as President Nixon's emissary, helping to establish diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Serving on the White House Conference on Small Business and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board.
Supporting various philanthropic causes through his family's foundation and other organizations.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable endeavors include:
The Trilateral Commission: In 1973, David co-founded this international organization with Zbigniew Brzezinski and others to promote cooperation among Western Europe, North America, and Japan on global economic policy.
Bilderberg Group: As a member of the Bilderberg Steering Committee, David contributed to shaping the group's agenda on topics such as European integration and globalization.Impact and Legacy
David Rockefeller played a significant role in international finance and diplomacy. His efforts helped shape global economic policies, strengthen international relationships, and promote cooperation among nations. Through his philanthropic work, he supported education, healthcare, and the arts.
In 2017, his passing at age 101 marked the end of an era for the influential Rockefeller family. David's legacy lives on through the various institutions and initiatives he helped establish or support during his lifetime.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
David Rockefeller is widely quoted and remembered due to his:
Pioneering work in international finance: His efforts to expand global economic cooperation helped shape modern financial systems.
Diplomatic achievements: Facilitating diplomatic relations between China and the United States, among other initiatives, earned him recognition as a skilled diplomat.
Philanthropic contributions: Supporting education, healthcare, and arts institutions through his family's foundation and personal donations has left a lasting impact on society.
As a member of one of America's most prominent families, David Rockefeller's life serves as an example of the intersection of business acumen, diplomatic skill, and philanthropy. His quotes continue to inspire reflection on global finance, politics, and social responsibility.
Quotes by David Rockefeller
David Rockefeller's insights on:
I am a passionate traveler, and from the time I was a child, travel formed me as much as my formal education. In order to appreciate cultures of another nation, one needs to go there, know the people and mingle with the culture of that country. One way to do that, if one is lucky enough, is to buy things from those cultures.
Money can add very much to one's ability to lead a constructive life, not only pleasant for oneself, but, hopefully, beneficial to others. My grandfather, along with Carnegie, was a pioneer in philanthropy, which my father then practiced on a very large scale. The Christian ethic played an essential part in my upbringing.
I owe much to mother. She had an expert’s understanding, but also approached art emotionally.
I was born into wealth and there was nothing I could do about it. It was there like food or air.
Courting Peggy McGrath provided me with a very pleasant diversion and eventually with the most important relationship of my life.
My congratulations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the October Revolution.
I am convinced that material things can contribute a lot to making one’s life pleasant, but, basically, if you do not have very good friends and relatives who matter to you, life will be really empty and sad and material things cease to be important.
I think that the best hope for peace and prosperity in the world is greater cooperation among nations, which in turn will be produced if both our governments and the people of our countries travel more and get to know each other better.