John Davison Rockefeller (July 8, 1839 - October 7, 1930) was an American businessman, philanthropist and politician, often cited as the most influential man in late-19th century America. Along with brother William Rockefeller, he founded the Standard Oil Company in 1868 and he and his brother became the youngest and wealthiest men in the world by 1880 thanks to their stake in the economic boom of the 1870's in the Midwest.