Rockefeller is regarded as one of the most successful business leaders of all time, and his success was surely more than just a coincidence. He had several noteworthy traits that made him stand out including perseverance, leadership courage, benevolence toward others, honesty, and balance in priorities.

What good did Rockefeller do?

John D. Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust. Later in life he turned his attention to charity. He made possible the founding of the University of Chicago and endowed major philanthropic institutions.

What was bad about John Rockefeller?

Critics accused Rockefeller of engaging in unethical practices, such as predatory pricing and colluding with railroads to eliminate his competitors in order to gain a monopoly in the industry. In 1911, the U.S. Supreme Court found Standard Oil in violation of anti-trust laws and ordered it to dissolve.