John Davison Rockefeller Sr. was a renowned American industrialist and philanthropist. Born into a modest family, he worked his way up to become one of the wealthiest individuals in modern history. He began his career as an assistant bookkeeper at the age of 16 and, by the age of 20, had ventured into business with partner Maurice B. Clark. Recognizing the potential of the commercial oil industry, Rockefeller and Clark invested in a refinery in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1863. In 1870, Rockefeller established the Standard Oil Company, which, within a decade, monopolized and controlled nearly 90% of U.S. refineries and pipelines. The increasing demand for kerosene and gasoline among the masses solidified his status as the richest person in the country. However, his business practices faced criticism, with accusations of unethical methods, such as acquiring pipelines and forest lands to stifle competition. In 1911, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Standard Oil violated the Sherman Antitrust Act and ordered its dissolution. After his retirement, Rockefeller became a devoted philanthropist, generously supporting churches, educational institutions, public health initiatives, and medical research. During his lifetime, he donated more than $500 million to various charitable causes.