John D. MacArthur
John D. MacArthur | |
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| Born | John Donald MacArthur March 6, 1897 philanthropist |
| Known for | MacArthur Foundation |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2, including J. Roderick MacArthur |
| Relatives |
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| External image | |
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 Photo of MacArthur |
John Donald MacArthur (March 6, 1897 – January 6, 1978) was an American insurance magnate, real estate investor and philanthropist who established the
Early life
John Donald MacArthur was born on March 6, 1897, in
Career
World War I
MacArthur joined the U.S. Navy and then the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War I.[5][6][7] He was medically discharged from service.[3]
Insurance career
MacArthur made his fortune in the mail-order insurance business.
Real estate investments in Florida
MacArthur also increased his vast fortune by heavily and lucratively investing in Florida real estate. By the time of his death, he owned 100,000 acres of real estate in Florida.
Personal life
MacArthur first married the former Louise Ingalls and had two children: a son, U.S. businessman and philanthropist J. Roderick (1920–1984); and a daughter, Virginia. The couple divorced in 1937.[4] In 1938 MacArthur married his secretary Catherine T. MacArthur (née Hyland),[4] who for decades intimately involved herself in the management of his companies, and after whom his charitable foundation is co-named.
John R. MacArthur, the president of Harper's Magazine and son of J. Roderick MacArthur, is a grandson of John D. MacArthur.[citation needed]
Death
On January 6, 1978, he died of pancreatic cancer at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida.[6][4]
Legacy
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach, Florida, opened to the public in 1989.[citation needed]
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the largest (when ranked by asset value) private foundations in the United States.[citation needed]
Awards and honors
In 1977, MacArthur received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement. The award was presented to him by Awards Council member Helen Hayes.[10]
See also
References
- ^ a b McGoun, William E., Southeast Florida Pioneers: The Palm and Treasure Coasts, 1998, Sarasota: Pineapple Press, p. 167
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Kleiman, Dena (January 7, 1978). "John D.MacArthur, Billionaire, Dies". The New York Times. p. 24. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ The Man: John D. MacArthur 1897-1978 (PDF). Retrieved June 10, 2021.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Eccentric Billionaire' spotlights John D. MacArthur's dark side". ABC News. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ Kleiman, Dena (January 7, 1978). "John D. MacArthur, Billionaire, Dies". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel, February 17, 1990
- American Academy of Achievement.
Further reading
- Hoffman, William (1969). The Stockholder. Lyle Stuart. Biography of John MacArthur.
- Kosar, Kevin R. "The Reluctant Philanthropist: John D. MacArthur". The American, February 13, 2008.
- Kriplen, Nancy (2008). The Eccentric Billionaire: John D. MacArthur. Amacom Books. ISBN 978-0-8144-0889-6. Biography of John MacArthur: Empire builder, reluctant philanthropist, relentless adversary.
- McGoun, William E., Southeast Florida Pioneers: The Palm and Treasure Coasts, 1998, Sarasota: Pineapple Press, chapter 27. Compares the lives of MacArthur and Arthur Vining Davis, another heavy investor in Florida real estate.
External links
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