Winthrop Rockefeller

ABOUT WINTHROP ROCKEFELLER

Grandson of the infamous oil tycoon who became a prominent politician from Arkansas and a philanthropist in his own right. He was the 37th Governor of Arkansas from 1967 to 1971.

After distinguished service in WW II and a decade or so living a playboy lifestyle, he surprised everyone by moving to Arkansas, where he pledged support for its public services.

A Republican, he was elected governor of the solidly democrat Arkansas, and he used his first term to bridging divides between classes and races.

His father John D. Rockefeller , Jr. financed the eponymous center in New York.

Notably, he was the only Southern governor to publicly proclaim his grief over the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.