John D Rockefeller
Owner of Standard Oil and considered the richest person in modern history
Real World Example
John D. Rockefeller was a powerful businessman who founded the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry in the late 1800s, a time known as The Nation is Industrialized. His approach to business, including creating a monopoly by controlling most of the oil supply, set the stage for modern corporate practices and antitrust laws. At the time, his actions mattered because they led to the growth of big businesses and changes in how industries were regulated, impacting the economy significantly. Today, Rockefeller's legacy is seen in the energy industry and philanthropic efforts; he donated vast sums for education and medical research, inspiring modern billionaires to engage in philanthropy. For example, Bill Gates, influenced by Rockefeller's charitable work, has donated billions to global health and education through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.