Biography of Winthrop Rockefeller - Research Paper Example

 Biographical Essay on Winthrop Rockefeller Introduction This project narrates the story of Winthrop Rockefeller, the first republican Governor of Arkansas. A great politician and philanthropist, he was born in the city of New York. He was the great grandson of John D Rockefeller. This project studies Rockefeller’s political legacy and attempts to plot his career and accomplishments, successes and failures. Finally, it assesses the importance of this personality in the history of Arkansas. Thesis Statement This project will attempt to discuss the life of Winthrop Rockefeller and his contributions towards Arkansas in the face of serious opposition from the state. It discusses about the manner in which he fought against all this opposition and remained a consistent winner. Winthrop Rockefeller-Career and Accomplishments Winthrop studied at Lincoln School in New York, and that at Loomis School in Windsor. He was not very gifted academically, but was extremely popular among his classmates. He even withdrew himself from Yale University without completing his degree. After this he was not willing to take up his family business. He then joined as an apprentice in one of the oil fields in Texas in the year 1936. Years later, he had once commented that it was the best year in his life. In 1937, he joined Socony Vacuum in the department of foreign trade. This was a signal that hinted he was gradually willing to meet his family’s expectations and traditions. He was beginning to believe in the importance of a family, but his personal preferences and tastes remained to be unorthodox and unconventional. This was notice during the Second World War. During this time he was getting attracted towards the army for the challenges and the freedom it offered. His family was also associated with the army. He joined the army in a private post on 22nd January1941, which was one year before the Pearl Harbor (Donovan, 1988, p.226). He went to the Officer Candidate School and graduated as second lieutenant on the 22nd of January 1942. He worked at Fort Benning, as a machine gun instructor. He eventually became a Commander, and was then promoted to the position of the Captain and then a Major in H Company in Fort Jackson in South Carolina. He appeared to be strong commander. He was an active participant in the Guam and the Philippines battles. During this battle period he became the lieutenant colonel, but had wounded himself when Okinawa was invaded. He was awarded for his courage with the ‘Purple Heart’ and the ‘Bronze Star with Oak Leaf’ (Donovan, 1988, p.227). During his lifetime he was greatly attracted towards the military life. He constantly kept in touch with his old friends. In the year 1960, he raised funds for an infantry hall of fame. At this point, Winthrop again faced the problem of choosing a career. He rejoined Socony but his new desk job seemed extremely monotonous for him. He found himself being chaffed under the influence of his family. The duty of following his family tradition somehow did not appeal to him and he was the only one of the four brothers who did not follow their father’s footsteps. Family tradition created more and more pressure on Rockefeller, to which he never bent down. Instead, he resorted to alcohol and found solace in it. He was even seen dating with women and actresses. He married in the year 1948 to a blonde divorcee named Barbara, but it did not last long because of his defiant nature. The couple broke up within a year after a child was born. By this time Rockefeller was emotionally broken but his family did not leave him. They were always at his aid. It was time for him to start his life on fresh note. Thus he went to Arkansas to start his life anew. He went to an old friend in the Arkansas in 1953 called Franc Newell. He soon realized that this city was in disaster and in desperate need of help. He worked towards the upliftment of blacks in America. Achievements of Winthrop Rockefeller One of the most important achievements worth mentioning is his work towards the welfare of the blacks. When he moved to the Arkansas, he realized that the city was in a miserable condition and needed his help. At once he devoted himself to their rescue. He stared the ‘Rockwin Fund’. He worked for noble causes like ‘Arkansas Art Center’. He even started a school in Morrilton, which was his hometown, and was a sponsor of various grants and scholarships. By the year 1966, he was able to generate more than $8 million for this state. He worked a lot for the development of the city. Rockefeller’s contribution towards Arkansas Industrial Development Commission is one of the most remarkable contributions he has made. It touched many souls and he won the blessings of the millions in the country. From 1950 onwards the nation witnessed fast economic development and this was especially true in Arkansas. Arkansas had been struggling to establish an industrial base for years and finally it got some momentum in that direction. The Governor of Arkansas, Orval Faubas, initiated the development of the AIDC, i.e. Arkansas Industrial Development Commission and Rockefeller was made its chairman. In the next nine years, Arkansas underwent tremendous industrial development under his chairmanship. More than 600 industries were established, thousands of job opportunities were created and 300 million payrolls were formed. Arkansas experienced growth at the rate of 47.5%, while the nation was growing at 5% only. Laborer’s wages rose by 88% whereas for the entire country it was only 36%. Factories and establishments found the labor force very attractive because of the low wages. This triggered the spread of factories. But, the industrialization also had certain negative effects. The products made by the factory were not very sophisticated. It also led to unbalanced growth in the country. In 1964, Rockefeller resigned from the chairmanship of AIDC. By this time, Arkansas had become solid democratic state. Assessment of the Rockefeller’s overall importance Rockefeller was devoted military personnel, but later in his life he became undisciplined. He was seen indulging in alcohol and also dating women. His marriage proved to be a failure. He had been accused of leading an indecent lifestyle and this has been used as a tool to draw the public against him by his opponents. Rockefeller had fought for Arkansas with all his heart and might. Despite this fact, he faced much criticism and was called ‘prissy sissy’ who was more attached to the city of New York. There were people who denied all his contributions towards Arkansas. However such criticism could not take away from him the fact that much of his works were aimed for the welfare of the state and that he loved his adopted state much more than the city of New York. Nonetheless, the citizens supported him with their votes. Rockefeller emerged as the victor with the support of the Republicans in the elections. He received 90% of the black’s votes. The newly formed Republican administration faced lots of challenges most prominently from the Democrats that held a strong position in the legislature. Despite facing strong opposition, during his first term, numerous acts were adopted. His democratic contender was Marion Crank, winner of the gubernatorial nomination. Rockefeller made huge campaigns which were highly funded and well organised. The opposition raised a number of references to his past lifestyle and drinking problems to turn people against him but little success. The result was that Rockefeller won the elections by 52%of the total votes. Rockefeller faced serious defeat in 1969, when the legislature rejected his tax proposal and granted bills amounting to only $20 million. Gradually, the opponents began to grow in strength and number and Rockefeller’s position weakened. He was defeated by Bumpers, who was a lawyer from Charleston. The latter had strong potential and vitality and this was his strongest point. (United States History, p.229). Rockefeller was shocked and shaken by his defeat in 1970. He left his office soon after. He took up a modest role in the public affairs department but his contributions towards the general public remained as it was. Thus we see that his contributions towards his society and him hometown is unparallel and exhaustive. He had changed the Arkansas prison system. He was shocked to see its dismal state. It was reformed under his influence and was called the department of corrections. He restructured the state’s educational structure. He drew as much funds as possible for the educational system. He encouraged construction of schools and better remuneration for teachers. It is very unfortunate that throughout his lifetime he had to continue fighting against a highly democratic state. He is even said to have used his personal wealth for the society, for the betterment of schools, colleges and universities. He brought up modern medical clinics in the state of Arkansas. (Dillard, 2010) Conclusion Winthrop Rockefeller’s contribution towards society and his state has been much more than can be restricted by the mere responsibilities of a Governor. He was the one to bring about political, economic, social and cultural changes in the state. His most important concern was the upliftment of the black community. He brought changes in the system which was overloaded with racial inequality and injustice. He fought for the blacks. The blacks also supported him with all their votes and made him win the elections and stay in power for a long time. The wealth of his family never appealed to him, even though he had grown up in a privileged way. Instead he worked as an apprentice, leaving the comfort of his father’s empire. He had described this time as the best years of his life. Having lived his life on his own terms, he was once on the verge of ruining his life. But soon after, he returned to normal life and resumed work meant for the welfare of the society and the public. He was defeated in the election by Bumpers, who reorganized the state management. Finally, Rockefeller died of cancer in pancreas in 1973 in California. The charities made after death continues to improve the lives of many in Arkansas. His wealth was distributed to a number of charitable trusts and foundations. He is still alive in the memory of people and will continue to do so. References Donovan, T. P. The Governors of Arkansas: Essays in Political Biography. (University of Arkansas Press 1988),229. United States History, “Politics and Public Services, 1912-1973”, No Date, http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1785.html. (Accessed July 20, 2010). Dillard, W, “Winthrop Rockefeller (1912-1973)”. 2010. [Online] http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=122. (Accessed July 20, 2010). Bibliography Altman, L.J. Blauer, E. & Laure, J. Arkansas. (Marshall Cavendish, 2008). Tery Berry, The Arkansas Journey. (Gibbs Smith, 2007) Read More