David Rockefeller, who died last week at 101, was a giant among American philanthropists. He continued the tradition of giving that ran from his grandfather, John D., the founder of Standard Oil; through his father, John Jr.; and his oldest brother, John III.
In his lifetime, Mr. Rockefeller gave away an estimated $2 billion to organizations, from Harvard and Rockefeller Universities to a “Living Pyramid” made of wild grass and flowers in Queens. “No individual has contributed more to the commercial and civic life of New York City over a longer period of time than David Rockefeller,” Michael R. Bloomberg, the former New York mayor, said in a statement.
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