The Millionaireâs Son: Newspaper and Scrapbook Portraits of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in College

Abstract

The Rockefeller family scrapbooks provide unique insights into John D. Rockefeller, Jr.'s time as an undergraduate student at Brown University. The industrialist's son, "Junior," attracted media attention to otherwise minor, local news stories about college dances, plagiarism, and philanthropy, fueled by gossip in and around Providence, Rhode Island. The news articles clipped in the Rockefeller family scrapbooks document newspapers' favorable attitude towards the younger Rockefeller's character, religiosity, and budding business acumen. Controversies during these years surrounding the role of extreme wealth in universities would presage subsequent scrutiny of the Rockefellers' philanthropy. The predominantly positive caricatures of the heir during this early period would also serve as a counterpoint to later, more critical, popular assessments