en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_D._Rockefeller
3 corrections found
His personal wealth was estimated in 1913 at $900 million, which was almost 3% of the US gross domestic product (GDP) of $39.1 billion that year.
The percentage is miscalculated. $900 million out of about $39.1 billion is roughly 2.3%, not “almost 3%."
Full reasoning
Using the figures given in the sentence, the percentage does not work out. A 1913 fortune of $900 million divided by a U.S. GDP of about $39.1 billion equals about 2.3% of GDP, not "almost 3%."
This is consistent with other historical discussions of Rockefeller's wealth that describe it as a bit over 2% of national output, not nearly 3%. So the numbers cited may be in the right ballpark, but the percentage stated from them is incorrect.
2 sources
- "The Power to Make Money is a Gift from God": The Life and Fortune of John D. Rockefeller | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Biographer Ron Chernow estimated that Rockefeller's wealth peaked in 1913 at $900 million...
- Measuring Worth - GDP result
1913 39,517 (Nominal GDP, million of Dollars).
Rockefeller gave $80 million (~$2.47 billion in 2024) to the University of Chicago under William Rainey Harper
This dollar figure is too high. University of Chicago sources say Rockefeller gave a little over $35 million to the university, not $80 million.
Full reasoning
University of Chicago sources do not support the claim that John D. Rockefeller gave $80 million to the University of Chicago under William Rainey Harper.
A University of Chicago Chronicle article states that over two decades Rockefeller donated more than $35 million to the University. Another University of Chicago source says Rockefeller provided $35 million more in gifts between 1892 and 1910. Those official university figures are less than half of the amount claimed here.
So while Rockefeller unquestionably was the university's principal founding benefactor, the specific figure of $80 million is not supported by the university's own historical accounts.
2 sources
- Rockefeller challenged others to give to University | University of Chicago Chronicle
Over two decades, Rockefeller donated more than $35 million to the nascent University...
- Board chairman, President to recognize philanthropy at Rockefeller dinner event | University of Chicago Chronicle
Rockefeller himself would provide $35 million more in gifts to the University between 1892 and 1910.
It claims a connection to 23 Nobel laureates.
This count is outdated. Rockefeller University currently says 26 Nobel Prize winners have been associated with the university, not 23.
Full reasoning
The current official Nobel page of The Rockefeller University says that 26 Nobel Prize winners have been associated with the university since its founding in 1901. Additional current Rockefeller materials likewise describe the university as having 26 Nobel Prizes / Nobel laureates associated with it.
So the article's figure of 23 is no longer accurate.
2 sources
- Nobel Prize | The Rockefeller University
Since Rockefeller was founded in 1901, 26 Nobel Prize winners have been associated with the university.
- Welcome to The Rockefeller University! (2025 graduate program booklet)
26 Nobel Prizes.