Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller | |
---|---|
Herold Christian Hunt | |
1st Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs | |
In office December 20, 1944 – August 17, 1945 | |
President | |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Spruille Braden |
Personal details | |
Born | Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller July 8, 1908 Bar Harbor, Maine, U.S. |
Died | January 26, 1979 New York City, U.S. | (aged 70)
Resting place | Rockefeller Family Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, New York, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouses | |
Children | 7, including Rodman, Steven, Michael, and Mark |
Parents | |
Relatives | Rockefeller family |
Education | Dartmouth College (AB) |
Signature | |
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (July 8, 1908 – January 26, 1979), sometimes referred to by his nickname Rocky,
Rockefeller was often considered to be liberal, progressive,[2] or moderate. In an agreement that was termed the Treaty of Fifth Avenue, he persuaded Richard Nixon to alter the Republican Party platform just before the 1960 Republican Convention. In his time, liberals in the Republican Party were called "Rockefeller Republicans". As Governor of New York from 1959 to 1973, Rockefeller's achievements included the expansion of the State University of New York (SUNY), efforts to protect the environment, the construction of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, increased facilities and personnel for medical care, and the creation of the New York State Council on the Arts.
After unsuccessfully seeking the Republican presidential nomination in
As a businessman, Rockefeller was president and later chair of Rockefeller Center, Inc., and he formed the International Basic Economy Corporation in 1947. Rockefeller assembled a significant art collection and promoted public access to the arts. He served as trustee, treasurer, and president of the Museum of Modern Art and founded the Museum of Primitive Art in 1954. In the area of philanthropy, he founded the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in 1940 with his four brothers and established the American International Association for Economic and Social Development in 1946.
Early life and education (1908–1930)
Rockefeller was born on July 8, 1908, in Bar Harbor, Maine.[3][4] Named Nelson Aldrich after his maternal grandfather Nelson W. Aldrich,[4] he was the second son and third child of financier and philanthropist John Davison Rockefeller Jr. and philanthropist and socialite Abigail "Abby" Aldrich.[3][4] He had two older siblings—Abby and John III—as well as three younger brothers: Laurance, Winthrop, and David.[5] Their father, John Jr., was the only son of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller and schoolteacher Laura Spelman.[6] Their mother, Abby, was a daughter of Senator Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich and Abigail P. Greene.[7]
Rockefeller grew up in his family's homes in New York City (mainly at 10 West 54th Street), a country home in
Although his parents saw potential for Nelson to succeed in life, he was a poor student. Generally, in the lower third of his class, he almost failed ninth grade and had undiagnosed
Early career (1931–1939)
Following his graduation, Rockefeller worked in a number of family-related businesses, including
Rockefeller served as a member of the Westchester County Board of Health from 1933 to 1953.[18] His service with Creole Petroleum led to his deep, lifelong interest in Latin America and he became fluent in the Spanish language.[19]
Mid-career (1940–1958)
Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs (CIAA)
In 1940, after he expressed his concern to
The Roosevelt administration encouraged Hollywood to produce films to encourage positive relations with Latin America.[23] Rockefeller required changes in the movie Down Argentine Way (1940) because it was considered offensive to Argentines. It was much more popular in the United States than in Latin America. Charlie Chaplin's satirical The Great Dictator (1940) was banned in several countries.[24]
In the spring of 1943, Rockefeller supported extensive negotiations and mission of North American members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce to Latin America as Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs of the US State Department, establishing the Junior Chamber International after its first Inter-American Congress in December 1944 at Mexico City. After coming back from the Inter-American Congress, Rockefeller convinced his father, John D. Rockefeller Jr., to donate the land to the city of New York to build the foundations of what would later become the United Nations Headquarters.[25][26]
Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs
In 1944, President Roosevelt appointed Rockefeller Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs. As assistant secretary of state, he initiated the Inter-American Conference on Problems of War and Peace in 1945. The conference produced the
Rockefeller was a member of the U.S. delegation at the
President Truman fired Rockefeller,[29] reversed his policies, and shut down the OCIAA.[30] Reich says that in official Washington, Rockefeller had become "a discredited figure, a pariah." He returned to New York.[31]
International Basic Economy Corporation (IBEC)
Rockefeller formed the International Basic Economy Corporation (IBEC) in 1947 to jointly continue the work he had begun as Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. He intermittently served as president through 1958. IBEC was a for-profit business that established companies that would stimulate underdeveloped economies of certain countries. It was hoped that the success of these companies would encourage investors in those countries to set up competing or supporting businesses and further stimulate the local economy.[32] Rockefeller established model farms in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Brazil. He maintained a home at Monte Sacro, the farm in Venezuela.[33]
Chairman of the International Development Advisory Board
Rockefeller returned to public service in 1950 when President
Special assistant to the president for foreign affairs
In 1954, he was appointed special assistant to the president for foreign affairs (sometimes referred to as special assistant to the president for psychological warfare). He was tasked with providing the president with advice and assistance in developing programs by which the various departments of the government could counter
Rockefeller broadly interpreted his directive and became an advocate for foreign economic aid as indispensable to national security. Most of Rockefeller's initiatives were blocked by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and his Under Secretary, Herbert Hoover Jr., both traditionalists who resented what they perceived as outside interference from Rockefeller,[37] and by Treasury Secretary George M. Humphrey for financial reasons.[38] However, in June 1955 Rockefeller convened a week-long meeting of experts from various disciplines to assess the U.S. position in the psychological aspects of the Cold War and develop proposals that could give the U.S. the initiative at the upcoming Summit Conference in Geneva. The meeting was held at the Marine Corps school at Quantico, Virginia, and became known as the Quantico Study. The Quantico panel developed a proposal called "open skies" wherein the U.S. and the Soviet Union would exchange blueprints of military installations and agree to mutual aerial reconnaissance. Thus, military buildups would be revealed, and the danger of surprise attacks minimized. It was a counter proposal to the Soviet proposal of universal disarmament. The feeling was that the Soviets could not refuse the proposal if they were serious about disarmament.[39]
In March 1955, Rockefeller proposed the creation of the
In 1956, he created the Special Studies Project, a major seven-panel planning group directed by Henry Kissinger and funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, of which he was then president. It was an ambitious study created to define the central problems and opportunities facing the U.S. in the future, and to clarify national purposes and objectives. The reports were published individually as they were released and were republished together in 1961 as Prospect for America: The Rockefeller Panel Reports.[42]
The Special Studies Project came into national prominence with the early release of its military subpanel's report, whose principal recommendation was a massive military buildup to counter a then-perceived military superiority threat posed by the
This initial contact with Kissinger was to develop into a lifelong relationship; Kissinger was later to be described as his closest intellectual associate. From this period Rockefeller employed Kissinger as a personally funded part-time consultant, principally on foreign policy issues, until the appointment to his staff became full-time in late 1968. In 1969, when Kissinger entered Richard Nixon's administration, Rockefeller paid him $50,000 as a severance payment.[44]
Governor of New York (1959–1973)
Rockefeller resigned from the federal government in 1956 to focus on New York State and on national politics.
Abortion
Rockefeller supported reform of New York's abortion laws beginning around 1968. The proposals supported by his administration would not have repealed the long-standing prohibition but would have expanded the exceptions allowed for the protection of the mother's health, or in circumstances of fetal abnormality. The reform bills did not pass. However, when an outright repeal of the prohibition managed to pass in 1970, Rockefeller signed it. In 1972, he vetoed another bill that would have restored the abortion ban. He said in his 1972 veto message, "I do not believe it right for one group to impose its vision of morality on an entire society."[49]
Arts and culture
Rockefeller created the first State Council on the Arts in the country, which became a model for the National Endowment for the Arts. He also oversaw the construction of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Spa State Park.[50] He supported the bill, enacted in June 1966, which acquired Olana, home of Hudson River School artist Frederic Edwin Church, as a state historic site.[51]
Buildings and public works
Rockefeller engaged in massive building projects that left a profound mark on the state of New York. (Some of his detractors claimed that he had an "Edifice Complex.")[52] He was personally interested in the planning, design, and construction of the many projects initiated during his administration, consistent with his interest in architecture. In addition, Rockefeller's construction programs included the US$2 billion South Mall in Albany, later renamed the Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza by Gov. Hugh Carey in 1978. It is a 98-acre (40 ha) campus of skyscrapers housing state offices and public plazas punctuated by an egg-shaped arts center. Along with the Empire State Plaza, in 1966 Rockefeller proposed the construction of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building in Harlem. The building was ultimately completed in 1973. While in office he supported the construction of the World Trade Center.[53]
Civil rights
Rockefeller achieved virtual total prohibition of discrimination in housing and places of public accommodation. He outlawed job discrimination based on sex or age; increased by nearly 50% the number of African Americans and Hispanics holding state jobs; appointed women to head the largest number of state agencies in state history; prohibited discrimination against women in education, employment, housing and credit applications; admitted the first women to the State Police; initiated affirmative action programs for women in state government; and backed New York's ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He outlawed "block-busting" as a means of artificially depressing housing values and banned discrimination in the sale of all forms of insurance.[54]
Commission on Critical Choices for Americans
In 1973, Rockefeller worked with former Delaware Governor Russell W. Peterson to establish the Commission on Critical Choices for Americans.[55] The commission was a private study project on national and international policy similar to the Special Studies Project he led 15 years earlier.[56] It was made up of a nationally representative, bipartisan group of 42 prominent Americans drawn from far-ranging fields of interest who served on a voluntary basis. Members included the majority and minority leaders of both houses of Congress.
Rockefeller resigned as New York's governor in December 1973 in order to devote himself full-time to the commission's work as its chairman.[56] He continued in that position after being sworn in as vice president, serving until February 28, 1975.[57]
Conservation
Consistent with his personal interest in design and planning, Rockefeller began expansion of the
Crime
During his 15 years as governor, Rockefeller doubled the size of the state police, established the New York State Police Academy, adopted the "stop and frisk" and "no-knock" laws to strengthen police powers, and authorized 228 additional state judgeships to reduce court congestion.[62]
New York was the last state to have a mandatory death penalty for premeditated first degree murder. In 1963 Rockefeller signed legislation abandoning that and establishing a two-stage trial for murder cases with punishment determined in the second stage.
Rockefeller was also a supporter of the "law and order" platform.[67]
Attica prison riot
On September 9, 1971, prisoners at the state penitentiary at Attica, NY, took control of a cell block and seized thirty-nine correctional officers as hostages. After four days of negotiations, Department of Correctional Services Commissioner Russell Oswald agreed to most of the inmates' demands for various reforms but refused to grant complete
A later investigation showed all but three of the deaths were caused by the gunfire of the National Guard and police. The other three were inmates killed by other inmates at the beginning of the riot. Opponents blamed Rockefeller for these deaths in part because of his refusal to go to the prison and negotiate with the inmates, while his supporters, including many conservatives who had often vocally differed with him in the past, defended his actions as being necessary to the preservation of law and order. "I was trying to do the best I could to save the hostages, save the prisoners, restore order, and preserve our system without undertaking actions which could set a precedent which would go across this country like wildfire," Rockefeller later said.[69]
In a telephone call with President Nixon, Rockefeller explained the deaths by saying "that's life."[70]
Drugs
What became known as the "
Education
Rockefeller was the driving force in turning the
Other accomplishments included more than quadrupling state aid to primary and secondary schools; providing the first state financial support for educational television; and requiring special education for children with disabilities in public schools.[74]
Housing
To create more low-income housing, Rockefeller created the New York State Urban Development Corporation (UDC), with unprecedented powers to override local
Miscellaneous programs
Rockefeller worked with the legislature and unions to create generous pension programs for many public workers, such as teachers, professors, firefighters, police officers, and prison guards. He proposed the first statewide minimum wage law in the U.S. which was increased five times during his administration. Additional accomplishments of Rockefeller's fifteen years as governor of New York include initiating the state lottery and off-track betting; adopting modern treatment techniques in state mental hospitals to reduce the number of mentally ill patients by over 50%; creating the State Office of the Aging and constructing nearly 12,000 units of housing for the aging; the first mandatory seatbelt law in the US; and creating the State Consumer Protection Board.[77]
National Commission on Water Quality
In May 1973, President Richard Nixon appointed Rockefeller chairman of the National Commission on Water Quality. The commission was charged with determining the technological, economic, social and environmental implications of meeting water quality standards mandated by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. The commission issued its report in March 1976 and he testified before Congress on its findings.
Presidential Mission to Latin America
On February 17, 1969, President Nixon commissioned a study to assess the state of Latin America. Nixon appointed Rockefeller to direct the study. The poor relationship between the two politicians suggested that Nixon would not be that interested in the results of the study. There was a lack of interest for the region in the late 1960s to early 1970s.[78]
In April and May 1969, at the request of President Nixon, Rockefeller and a team of 23 advisors visited 20 American republics during four trips to solicit opinions of U.S. inter-American policies and to determine the needs and conditions of each country. Most of the trips turned out to be an embarrassment. Among the recommendations in Rockefeller's report to the President were preferential trade agreements with Latin American countries, refinancing the region's foreign debt, and removing bureaucratic impediments that prevented the efficient use of U.S. aid. The Nixon administration did little to implement the report's recommendations.[79] In his report preface, Rockefeller wrote the following:
There is general frustration over the failure to achieve a more rapid improvement in standards of living. The United States, because of its identification with the failure of the Alliance for Progress to live up to expectations, is blamed. People in the countries concerned also used our visit as an opportunity to demonstrate their frustrations with the failure of their own governments to meet their needs ... demonstrations that began over grievances were taken over and exacerbated by anti-US and subversive elements which sought to weaken the United States, and their own governments in the process.[78]
A major part of the Rockefeller report suggested a reduction of U.S. involvement, "we, in the United States, cannot determine the internal political structure of any other nation". Because there was little the United States should or could do toward changing the political atmosphere in other countries, there was no reason to attempt to use economic aid as a political tool. This was the justification to reduce economic aid in Latin America. The Rockefeller report called for some aid to continue, but the report recommended creating more effective aid programs.[78]
Transportation
In 1967 Rockefeller won approval of the largest state bond issue at the time ($2.5 billion) for the coordinated development of mass transportation, highways and airports. He initiated the creation or expansion of over 22,000 miles (35,000 km) of highway
In taking over control of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, Rockefeller shifted power away from
Welfare and Medicaid
In the area of public assistance the Rockefeller administration carried out the largest state medical care program for the needy in the United States under Medicaid; achieved the first major decline in New York State's welfare rolls since World War II; required employable welfare recipients to take available jobs or job training; began the state breakfast program for children in low income areas; and established the first state loan fund for nonprofit groups to start day-care centers.[80]
A supporter of
Presidential campaigns
Rockefeller sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1960, 1964, and 1968.
1960
His bid in the 1960 primary ended early when then-Vice President Richard Nixon surged ahead in the polls. After quitting the campaign, Rockefeller backed Nixon and concentrated his efforts on introducing more moderate planks into Nixon's platform, partially succeeding in the Treaty of Fifth Avenue.
1964
Rockefeller, as the leader of the Republicans' "Eastern Establishment," began as the front-runner for the
However, at the Republican National Convention in San Francisco in July, Rockefeller was given five minutes to speak before the convention in defense of five amendments to the party platform put forth by the
Rockefeller's stump speeches often used the phrase "the brotherhood of man, under the fatherhood of God"; reporters covering his campaign came to abbreviate the expression as BOMFOG.[91]
1968
Rockefeller again sought the presidential nomination in the 1968 primaries. His opponents were Nixon and Governor Ronald Reagan of California. In the contest, Rockefeller again represented the liberals, Reagan representing the conservatives, and Nixon representing moderates and conservatives. Shortly before the Republican convention, Rockefeller finally let it be known that he was available to be the nominee, and he sought to round up uncommitted delegates and woo reluctant Nixon delegates to his banner, armed with public opinion polls that showed him doing better among voters than either Nixon or Reagan against Democrat Hubert Humphrey. Despite Rockefeller's efforts, Nixon won the nomination on the first ballot.[92]
Humphrey revealed in 1976 that he tried to convince Rockefeller to be his running mate in the Democratic ticket in 1968, but the latter refused to switch parties.[93]
Vice presidency (1974–1977)
Upon President Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974, Vice President
It was entirely a question of there being a Constitutional crisis and a crisis of confidence on the part of the American people. ... I felt there was a duty incumbent on any American who could do anything that would contribute to a restoration of confidence in the democratic process and in the integrity of government.
Rockefeller was also persuaded by Ford's promise to make him "a full partner" in his presidency, especially in domestic policy.[97]
Rockefeller underwent extended hearings before Congress, suffering embarrassment when it was revealed he made massive gifts to senior aides, such as Henry Kissinger, and used his personal fortune to finance a scurrilous biography of political opponent Arthur Goldberg.[98] He had also taken debatable deductions on his federal income taxes, and ultimately agreed to pay nearly one million dollars to settle the issue, but no illegalities were uncovered, and he was confirmed. Although conservative Republicans were not pleased that Rockefeller was picked, most of them voted for his confirmation anyway; nevertheless, a minority bloc (including Barry Goldwater, Jesse Helms and Trent Lott) voted against him.[99] Many conservative groups campaigned against Rockefeller's nomination, including the National Right to Life Committee, the American Conservative Union, and others. The New York Conservative Party also opposed his confirmation, despite the fact that its only elected member of the U.S. Congress then, James L. Buckley, supported him.[100] On the left, Americans for Democratic Action opposed Rockefeller's confirmation because it said his wealth posed too much of a conflict of interest.[101]
The Senate had given its approval December 10, 1974, 90 to 7. The House confirmed his nomination 287 to 128 on December 19.[102] Beginning his service upon taking the oath of office on December 19, Rockefeller was the second person appointed vice president under the 25th Amendment—the first being Ford himself. Rockefeller often seemed concerned that Ford gave him little or no power, and few tasks, while he was vice president. Ford initially said he wanted Rockefeller to chair the Domestic Policy Council, but Ford's new White House staff had no intention of sharing power with the vice president and his staff.[103]
Rockefeller's attempt to take charge of domestic policy was thwarted by Chief of Staff Rumsfeld, who objected to policy makers reporting to the president through the vice president. When Rockefeller had one of his former aides, James Cannon, appointed executive director of the Domestic Council, Rumsfeld cut its budget. Rockefeller was excluded from the decision-making process on many important issues. When he learned that Ford had proposed cuts in federal taxes and spending, he responded: "This is the most important move the president has made, and I wasn't even consulted."
While Rockefeller was vice president, the official vice-presidential residence was established at Number One Observatory Circle on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory. This residence had previously been the residence of the Chief of Naval Operations. Previous vice presidents had been responsible for maintaining their own homes at their own expense, but the necessity of full-time Secret Service security had made this custom impractical. Rockefeller already had a well-secured Washington residence and never lived in the home as a principal residence.
Rockefeller was slow to make use of
1976 election
With the moderate Ford facing continued difficulty in securing the support of conservative Republicans for the 1976 presidential nomination and anticipating a challenge from the conservative Ronald Reagan, he considered the possibility of another running mate, and discussed it with Rockefeller. In November 1975, Rockefeller offered to withdraw. Ford eventually concurred, and in explaining his decision Rockefeller said that he "didn't come down (to Washington) to get caught up in party squabbles which only make it more difficult for the President in a very difficult time ..."[106][107]
After Ford was nominated at the 1976 Republican National Convention, Reagan, Barry Goldwater, and other prominent conservatives conditioned their support for Ford on his selection of a suitable vice-presidential nominee.
Ford is the most recent incumbent president to not choose his incumbent vice president as his running mate. Ford later said not choosing Rockefeller was one of his biggest mistakes,[108] and "one of the few cowardly things I did in my life."[109]
Rockefeller campaigned actively for the Republican ticket in 1976.
In what would become an iconic photo of the 1976 campaign, Rockefeller appeared to be responding to hecklers at a rally in
The 1976 presidential campaign ended with Ford losing to Jimmy Carter.
Political ideology
Reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to problem solving, Rockefeller took a pragmatic approach to governing. In their book Rockefeller of New York: Executive Power in the State House, Robert Connery and Gerald Benjamin state, "Rockefeller was not committed to any ideology. Rather, he considered himself a practical problem solver, much more interested in defining problems and finding solutions around which he could unite support sufficient to ensure their enactment in legislation than in following either a strictly liberal or strictly conservative course. Rockefeller's programs did not consistently follow either liberal or conservative ideology." Early fiscal policies were conservative while later ones were not so. In the later years of his administration "conservative decisions on social programs were paralleled by liberal ones on environmental issues."[112] Rockefeller was opposed by conservatives in the GOP such as Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan because of his liberal political views. Described as a big spender by historian Geoffrey Kabaservice, Rockefeller spent more money as governor of New York than his Republican predecessor Thomas E. Dewey, who was more fiscally conservative.[113][114] Rockefeller expanded the state's infrastructure, increased spending on education including a massive expansion of the State University of New York and increased the state's involvement in environmental issues.
In foreign affairs, Rockefeller supported U.S. involvement in the
Philanthropy and art patronage
Rockefeller served as Chairman of Rockefeller Center, Inc., (1945–1953 and 1956–1958) and began a program of physical expansion there. He and his four brothers established the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, a philanthropy, in 1940; he served as a trustee from 1940 to 1975 and 1977 to 1979 and as president in 1956. He established the American International Association for Economic and Social Development (AIA) in 1946. AIA was a philanthropy for the dissemination of technical and managerial expertise and equipment to underdeveloped countries to support grass-roots efforts in overcoming illiteracy, disease and poverty.[119]
Rockefeller served as a trustee of the
The Directors of Rockefeller Center objected and Rockefeller asked Rivera to change the face of Lenin to that of an unknown laborer's face as was originally intended, but the painter refused.The work was paid for on May 22, 1933, and immediately draped. Rockefeller suggested that the fresco could be donated to the Museum of Modern Art, but the trustees of the museum were not interested.[121] People protested but it remained covered until the early weeks of 1934, when it was smashed by workers and hauled away in wheelbarrows. Rivera responded by saying that it was "cultural vandalism". At Rockefeller Center in its place is a mural by Jose Maria Sert which includes an image of Abraham Lincoln. The Rockefeller-Rivera dispute is covered in the films Cradle Will Rock and Frida.
Rockefeller was a noted collector of both modern and non-Western art. During his governorship, New York State acquired major works of art for the new Empire State Plaza in Albany. He continued his mother's work at the Museum of Modern Art as president and turned the basement of his Kykuit mansion into a gallery while placing works of sculpture around the grounds (an activity he enjoyed personally supervising, frequently moving the pieces from place to place by helicopter). While he was overseeing construction of the State University of New York system, Rockefeller built, in collaboration with his lifelong friend Roy Neuberger, the Philip Johnson-designed Neuberger Museum on the campus of the State University of New York at Purchase.
He commissioned Master
Rockefeller's early visits to
In 1978, Alfred A. Knopf published a book on primitive art from Rockefeller's collection. Rockefeller, impressed with the work of photographer Lee Boltin and editor/publisher Paul Anbinder on the book, co-founded Nelson Rockefeller Publications, Inc. with them, with the goal of publishing fine art books of high quality. After Rockefeller's death less than a year later, the company continued as Hudson Hills Press, Inc.
In 1977 he founded Nelson Rockefeller Collection, Inc., (NRC) an art reproduction company that produced and sold licensed reproductions of selected works from Rockefeller's collection. In the introduction to the NRC catalog, he stated he was motivated by his desire to share with others "the joy of living with these beautiful objects."
Personal life
On June 23, 1930, Rockefeller married Mary Todhunter Clark.[17] They had five children: Rodman Clark Rockefeller, Ann Rockefeller, Steven Clark Rockefeller, and twins Michael Clark Rockefeller and Mary Rockefeller. Michael Rockefeller disappeared in New Guinea in November 1961. He is presumed to have drowned while trying to swim to shore after his dugout canoe capsized.
Nelson and Mary Rockefeller were divorced in 1962. On May 4, 1963, Rockefeller married Margaretta Large "Happy" Fitler. They had two sons together: Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller Jr. and Mark Fitler Rockefeller.
With his first wife, Rockefeller had lived at the three top floors at 810 Fifth Avenue. After his divorce and second marriage, Mary Rockefeller kept the two top floors of the triplex apartment.[123] The apartment was expanded by purchasing a floor of 812 Fifth Avenue. The two spaces connected via a flight of six steps.[124] Nelson and Happy Rockefeller used the entrance at 812 Fifth, while his first wife entered through 810 Fifth.[125] They remained married until his death.
Rockefeller engaged in numerous extramarital affairs during his marriages. His first wife resented his adultery, which was one of the main reasons for their divorce.[126] Rockefeller convinced his first wife early in the marriage that they should live separate lives but stay married for the sake of public appearances and the children.[126]
There has been speculation surrounding Malinda Fitler Murphy (b.1960), the youngest daughter of Happy Rockefeller and Dr. James Slater Murphy, with many in the Rockefeller inner circle believing her to be Nelson Rockefeller's daughter. In his diary, Rockefeller intimate Ken Riland used a tone of knowing irony when mentioning Malinda, putting the word stepfather in quotes. Ellen, the wife of Wally Harrison, the architect and Rockefeller confidant, claimed that Malinda's parentage was an open secret among Rockefeller associates.[126]
Rockefeller was a patient of famous psychic Edgar Cayce.[127]
Death
Rockefeller died on January 26, 1979, from a heart attack, two years and six days after departing the vice presidency.
Rockefeller's remains were
Speculation surrounding death
The circumstances of Rockefeller's death led to widespread speculation regarding a possible adulterous relationship between Rockefeller and Marshack.[137][138][139] Marshack had worked for Rockefeller when he served as vice president, had relocated to New York and continued to work for him after his term as vice president ended, and had received financial assistance from Rockefeller in purchasing and furnishing a condominium several doors down from his Manhattan townhouse.[138]
In a
Legacy
Awards named after Rockefeller
- Nelson A. Rockefeller Award, Purchase College School of the Arts, presented annually to five individuals who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to the arts or the environment.
- Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Award for Excellence in Public Service, State Academy for Public Administration.
- Nelson A. Rockefeller Distinguished Public Service Award, Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for the Social Sciences, Dartmouth College.
- Nelson A. Rockefeller Award, American Society for Public Administration, Empire State Capital Area Chapter, presented to an individual whose governmental career in New York State demonstrates exemplary leadership, performance and achievement in shaping public policy, developing and implementing major public programs, or resolving major public problems.
- Nelson A. Rockefeller Award, The New York Water Environment Association, Inc., awarded to an elected official at a city (population over 250,000), state or national level who has made a substantial and meaningful contribution to advancing effective environmental programs.
- Nelson A. Rockefeller Public Service Award, Rockefeller Institute of Government (1988–1994).
Awards received
- Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1977
- Universal Brotherhood Medal, Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1961
- Charles Evans Hughes Medal, National Conference of Christians and Jews, 1965
- Distinguished Service to Conservation Award, National Wildlife Federation/Sears Roebuck Foundation, 1966
- Gold Medal Award, National Institute of Social Sciences, 1967 (awarded to all five Rockefeller brothers)
- Award of Merit, American Institute of Architects, New York Chapter, 1968
- Distinguished Service Award, State University of New York, 1973
- Four Freedoms Foundation Award, 1974
- Order of Merit, Chile, 1945
- National Order of the Southern Cross, Brazil, 1946
- Order of the Aztec Eagle, Mexico, 1949
- Order of Ruben Dario, Nicaragua, 1953
- Medallion de los Andes, University of the Andes, Colombia, 1958
- Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France, 1958
- Grande Croix de l'Ordre de Leopold II of Belgium, 1959
- Ramon Magsaysay Award, Philippines, 1959
- Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau, Netherlands, 1960
- Prathamabhorn Knight Grand Cross of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, Thailand, 1960
- Légion d'honneur, Commandeur, France, 1960
- Commander of the Order of Dannebrog, 1st Class, Denmark, 1960
- Grand Ufficials del Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, Italy, 1962
- Order of the White Rose, Commander 1st Class, Finland, 1962
- Agricultural Merit Award, Brazilian Rural Confederation, 1963
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Brilliant Star, Nationalist China, 1969
- Nicholas Copernicus Award, Poland, 1972
Memorials
The following institutions and facilities have been named in honor of Nelson A. Rockefeller:
- The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences, Dartmouth College, a social science research center.[144]
- The Nelson A. Rockefeller Collegiate Center, Binghamton University, New York.[145]
- The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza.[146]
- Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City, New York City.[147]
- P.S. 121 in Brooklyn NY was renamed Nelson A. Rockefeller Elementary School[148]
See also
- Electoral history of Nelson Rockefeller
- GE Building(Room 5600 - The Rockefeller Family Office)
- Wallace Harrison
References
Citations
- ^ "Biography: Nelson A. Rockefeller | American Experience". PBS.
- ISBN 9780199912902.
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller remains the best-known progressive Republican of recent times
- ^ a b Morris 1960, p. 7.
- ^ a b c Persico 1982, p. 23.
- ^ a b c Persico 1982, p. 24.
- ^ Persico 1982, pp. 23–24.
- ^ "NELSON W. ALDRICH, EX-SENATOR, DEAD: Leader in Congress for Thirty Years Stricken with Apoplexy in Fifth Avenue Home". The New York Times. April 17, 1915.
- ^ Morris 1960, p. 11.
- ^ Morris 1960, p. 12.
- ^ a b Persico 1982, pp. 24–25.
- ^ Morris 1960, p. 29.
- ^ Persico 1982, p. 29.
- ^ Morris 1960, p. 81.
- ^ Morris 1960, p. 39.
- ^ Persico 1982, p. 28.
- ISBN 978-0-313-31134-5.
- ^ a b Morris 1960, p. 82.
- ^ Gervasi, Frank (1964). The Real Rockefeller: The Story of the Rise, Decline and Resurgence of the Presidential Aspirations of Nelson Rockefeller. New York, NY: Atheneum. p. 210 – via Google Books.
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- .
- ^ Morris 1960, pp. 129–135
- ^ Time, June 1, 1942
- ^ Káritha Bernardo de Macedo. "Brazilian cinema, Hollywood and the Good Neighbourhood Policy in the 1930s: a background for Carmen Miranda" (PDF). Retrieved November 22, 2014.
- ISBN 978-0-520-02048-1. p. 85
- ^ a b Reich 1996, pp. 383–386
- Politico.com. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ Reich 1996, pp. 278–304
- ^ Morris 1960, pp. 215–222
- ISBN 978-1-4422-0787-5.
- ^ "Holocaust Era Assets: Records of the Office of Inter-American Affairs". Civilian Agency Records. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
- ISBN 9780385246965.
- ^ Morris 1960, pp. 251–255
- ^ Smith (2014) ch 10
- ^ "Nelson A. Rockefeller". North American Congress on Latin America. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- ^ Reich 1996, pp. 521–527
- ^ Reich 1996, p. 558
- ^ Reich 1996, pp. 611–618
- ^ Reich 1996, p. 575
- ^ Reich 1996, pp. 577–583
- ^ Reich 1996, p. 560
- ^ Reich 1996, p. 617
- ISBN 9780598500687.
- ^ Creation of the Special Studies Project in 1956—see Reich 1996, pp. 650–667
- ^ Relationship with Kissinger—Isaacson 2005, pp. 90–93
- ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ a b "Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller: A Biographical Chronology" (PDF). Rockefeller Archive Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
- ^ "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4 1958" (PDF). clerk.house.gov. March 16, 1959. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ Maeder, Jay (July 10, 2001). "Repealing the abortion law, May 1972 Chapter 397". New York Daily News. p. 4. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- OCLC 11770290.
- ISBN 9780847863112.
- ^ "Is the Rock Still Solid?", Time, October 19, 1970
- ISBN 978-0-8050-7428-4. p. 55
- ^ State of New York, Public Papers of Nelson A. Rockefeller, Fifty-third Governor of the State of New York, vol. 15, 1973 (Albany, NY: State of New York, 1973), pp. 1382, 1386.
- ^ "Portage native Russell Peterson dies at 94". Wiscnews.com. February 24, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ a b Smith, J. Y. (January 28, 1979). "Nelson Rockefeller, 41st Vice President, N.Y. Ex-Governor, Art Connoisseur". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
- ^ Lynn, Frank (March 1, 1975). "Rockefeller Quits as Chairman of Critical Choices Commission". The New York times. Retrieved February 13, 2019 – via The Times's print archive.
- Alfred E. Smith – Nelson Rockefeller – George Pataki." The New York State Preservationist. NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Fall/Winter 2006, p. 20
- ^ State of New York, Public Papers of Nelson A. Rockefeller, Fifty-third Governor of the State of New York, vol. 15, 1973 (Albany, NY: State of New York, 1973), p. 1384.
- ^ Graham, Frank Jr. The Adirondack Park: A Political History. New York City: Knopf, 1978
- ^ State of New York, Public Papers of Nelson A. Rockefeller, Fifty-third Governor of the State of New York, vol. 15, 1973 (Albany, NY: State of New York, 1973), p. 1381.
- ^ a b State of New York, Public Papers of Nelson A. Rockefeller, Fifty-third Governor of the State of New York, vol. 15, 1973 (Albany, NY: State of New York, 1973), p. 1379.
- ^ Connery & Benjamin 1979, p. 242
- ^ List of pre-Furman executions in New York Archived March 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Regional Studies Northeast Archived April 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Craig Brandon, The Electric Chair: An Unnatural American History, 1999
- ^ WGBH 2000
- ^ Clyde Haberman (September 14, 2011). "The Somber Shadows of Attica". The New York Times. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
- ^ Benjamin and Rappaport, "Attica and Prison Reform", in Governing New York State: The Rockefeller Years, p. 206.
- ^ Francis X. Clines (September 19, 2011). "Postscripts to the Attica Story". The New York Times. p. A26. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
- ^ Connery & Benjamin 1979, pp. 266–274
- ^ "SUNY Buffalo School of Management History". University at Buffalo. 2017. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ "UB at a Glance". Buffalo.edu. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ State of New York, Public Papers of Nelson A. Rockefeller, Fifty-third Governor of the State of New York, vol. 15, 1973 (Albany, NY: State of New York, 1973), p. 1380.
- ^ Christine S. Richard, Confidence Game: How a Hedge Fund Manager Called Wall Street's Bluff, (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons, 2010), 62–63.
- ^ State of New York, Public Papers of Nelson A. Rockefeller, Fifty-third Governor of the State of New York, vol. 15, 1973 (Albany, NY: State of New York, 1973), p. 1382.
- ^ State of New York, Public Papers of Nelson A. Rockefeller, Fifty-third Governor of the State of New York, vol. 15, 1973 (Albany, NY: State of New York, 1973), pp. 1378, 1382, 1383, 1384.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-415-97771-5. page 185-188
- ^ Persico 1982, p. 106
- ^ a b State of New York, Public Papers of Nelson A. Rockefeller, Fifty-third Governor of the State of New York, vol. 15, 1973 (Albany, NY: State of New York, 1973), p. 1385.
- ^ MEDICARE FOR ALL IS ASKED BY JAVITS; The Nw York, April 15, 1970
- ^ Unity, Freedom and Peace: A Blueprint for Tomorrow, by Nelson Rockefeller, Random House, 1968
- ^ Universal Health Insurance Is the Wave of the Future, Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1971
- ^ Richard Norton Smith (2014). "18". On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller.
- ^ Rick Perlstein (2001). "18". Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus.
- ^ Smith (2014). On His Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller. p. xxi.
- ^ Nicol C. Rae (1989). The Decline and Fall of the Liberal Republicans: From 1952 to the Present.
- ^ Kramer & Roberts 1976, p. 283
- ^ Persico 1982, pp. 65–66
- ^ "Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (vice president of United States)". Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, 41st Vice President (1974-1977)". United States Senate. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
- ISBN 978-0553418651.
- ^ Humphrey Reports Rockefeller Rejected Role as Running Mate; The New York Times, May 2, 1976
- ^ "George H. W. Bush". December 29, 2014.
- ^ Gerald R. Ford, A Time to Heal: The Autobiography of Gerald R. Ford (New York, 1979), pp. 143–144.
- ^ Persico 1982, p. 245
- ^ Robert T. Hartmann, Palace Politics: An Inside Account of the Ford Years (New York, 1980), pp. 230–236.
- ^ Peter Carroll It Seemed Like Nothing Happened, p. 162.
- ^ Time magazine article (Archived November 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine)
- ^ "TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER TO BE ... -- Senate Vote #1092 -- Dec 10, 1974".
- ^ "Rockefeller conflicts raise debate". Anchorage Daily News. Associated Press. November 26, 1974. Retrieved November 10, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "CQ Almanac Online Edition".
- ^ Paul C. Light, Vice-Presidential Power: Advice and influence in the White House (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1984), pp. 180-183.
- ^ Persico 1982, pp. 262
- ISBN 0-312-33221-1.
- ^ "Excerpts From Rockefeller Conference Explaining His Withdrawal; 'Are You Going to Stop' Interests of the People". The New York Times. November 7, 1975. p. 16. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
- ^ "Mutual Decision: Vice President's Letter Gives No Reason for his Withdrawal". The New York Times. November 4, 1975. p. 73.
- ^ Remarks of Gerald R. Ford, Nelson A. Rockefeller Public Service Award Dinner, May 22, 1991.
- ISBN 978-0-8131-2349-3.
- ^ NPR
- ^ Rosen, Sy (1998). From Rocky to Pataki: Character and Caricatures in New York Politics. p. 48.
- ^ Connery & Benjamin 1979, p. 424
- ^ Connery & Benjamin 1979, p. 189
- ^ The Last Liberal Republican President, with John R. Price, The Niskanen Center, October 27, 1971
- ^ Connery & Benjamin 1979, pp. 44–45
- ^ Connery & Benjamin 1979, p. 439
- ^ Connery & Benjamin 1979, p. 427
- ^ Connery & Benjamin 1979, p. 428
- ^ Morris 1960, p. 242
- ^ "Rockefeller Controversy". Diego Rivera Prints. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved October 2, 2007.
- ^ Reich 1996, p. 110
- ^ Wormington, H. Marie. "Frederic Huntington Douglas" (PDF). Cambridge.
- ^ "The Upper East Side Book: Fifth Avenue: 810 Fifth Avenue". Thecityreview.com. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ Luxury apartment houses of Manhattan: an illustrated history, Andrew Alpern, Dover Publications, 1992, p. 112.
- ^ "Presidential Politics Yields to Privacy At Apartments of 3 Candidates Here; Where Privacy Eclipses Politics", March 18, 1968, The New York Times
- ^ ISBN 9780812996876.
- ^ Edgar Cayce: an American prophet, Sidney Kirkpatrick, Riverhead Books 2000 page 10
- ^ "New York Governor and United States Vice President Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller dies after a heart attack in 1979". nydailynews.com. January 25, 2015.
- ^ Siemaszko, Corky (August 14, 2017). "The story of Nelson Rockefeller's death and the spin that kept the (sexy) truth out of the headlines". nydailynews.com.
- ^ "On This Day In History, January 26: Dream of Presidency Never Achieved". Brooklyn Eagle. January 26, 2012.
- ^ See, for example, CBS News report of February 8, 1979, Roger Mudd reporting on conflicting stories about circumstances of Rockefeller's death.
- ^ McFadden, Robert D. (January 29, 1979). "New Details Are Reported on How Rockefeller Died". The New York Times.
- ^ "Rockefellers have known prominence, tragedy". lohud.com.
- ^ See Deane 1999 and these print media articles: Robert C. McFadden (January 29, 1979). "New Details Are Reported on How Rockefeller Died". The New York Times. p. B4. Retrieved November 10, 2012.; Robert C. McFadden (January 30, 1979). "Call to 911 for Stricken Rockefeller Did Not Identify Him, Tape Shows". The New York Times. p. A13. Retrieved November 10, 2012.; Robert C. McFadden (February 7, 1979). "Rockefeller's Attack Is Now Placed at 10:15, Hour Before Emergency Call". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved November 10, 2012.; Robert D. McFadden (February 9, 1979). "Rockefeller Aide Did Not Make Call to 911; TV Personality, Friend of Megan Marshack, Phoned for Help". The New York Times. p. B3. Retrieved November 10, 2012.; and "Marshack Friend Makes Statement on Rockefeller". The New York Times. February 11, 1979. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
- ^ Francis X. Clines, "About Pocantico Hills: Advance Man Stays on the Job," The New York Times, January 30, 1979.
- ^ Fried, Joseph P. (February 3, 1979). "Memorial Expresses Rockefeller Spirit". The New York Times.
- ^ Frank, Jeffrey (October 6, 2014). "Big Spender". The New Yorker – via www.newyorker.com.
- ^ a b c Siemaszko, Corky (August 14, 2017). "The story of Nelson Rockefeller's death and the spin that kept the (sexy) truth out of the headlines". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ^ Jackovich, Karen; Clifford, Garry (February 26, 1979). "Megan Marshack: the Ambitious Aide Whose Silence Deepens the Mystery of Rockefeller's Death". People. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ^ (See Deane 1999). The speculation was further fueled by reports that Marshack was a named beneficiary in his will; see, for example, Peter Kihss, "Bulk of Rockefeller's Estate Is Left to Wife; Museums Get Large Gifts", The New York Times, February 10, 1979; a piece that aired on NBC's Evening News on February 9, 1979; and a piece by Max Robinson that aired on ABC Evening News on February 9, 1979.
- ^ Robert D. McFadden, "4 Rockefeller Children Say All At Hand Did Their Best", The New York Times, February 15, 1979: the statement released by Rockefeller's children concludes, "we do not intend to make any further public comment."
- ISBN 0-552-11681-5. Compiled by David Wallechinsky and others. List "10 Prominent People Who Died In Suspicious Circumstances and Never Had Autopsies". It places the first report of his death as being at his town house, not office.
- ^ Siegel, Lee (March 30, 2012). "Rocks Off!". New York. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "History of the Center | Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy". rockefeller.dartmouth.edu. August 14, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ^ "Binghamton University - Hinman History". www.binghamton.edu. Archived from the original on April 29, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
- ^ Matthews, Joe (September 29, 1997). "Rockefeller's big dream realized". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ "Nelson A. Rockefeller Park". NYMag.com.
- ^ "Welcome - P.S. 121 Nelson A. Rockefeller - K121 - New York City Department of Education". schools.nyc.gov.
Cited works
- Connery, Robert H.; Benjamin, Gerald (1979). Rockefeller of New York; Executive Power in the Statehouse. ISBN 9780801411885.
- Deane, Elizabeth (1999). "Transcript: The Rockefellers". American Experience. Boston: PBS. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- Isaacson, Walter (2005) [1992]. Kissinger: A Biography. New York: Simon & Schuster.
- Kramer, Michael; Roberts, Sam (1976). "I Never Wanted to be Vice-President of Anything!": An Investigative Biography of Nelson Rockefeller. New York: Basic Books.
- ISBN 9780671254186.
- Rae, Nicol C. The Decline and Fall of the Liberal Republicans: From 1952 to the Present (1989).
- Reich, Cary (1996). The Life of Nelson A. Rockefeller: Worlds to Conquer, 1908-1958. Doubleday. ISBN 9780385246965.
- Smith, Richard Norton. On His Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller. New York: Random House, 2014; A standard scholarly biography
- "People & Events: Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1908-1979". American Experience. Boston: WGBH. 2000. Archived from the original on November 20, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
Further reading
- Boyd, Joseph H. Jr.; Holcomb, Charles R. (2012). Oreos and Dubonnet: Remembering Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller. Albany: SUNY Press. ISBN 978-1-4384-4183-2.
- ISBN 0-06-092723-2.
- Dagen Bloom, Nicholas. 2019. How States Shaped Postwar America. University of Chicago Press.
- Maxwell, Allen Brewster, Evoking Latin American collaboration in the Second World War: A study of the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs (1940–1946), PhD dissertation, Tufts University, Medford, MA., 1971.
- Morris, Joe Alex (1960). Nelson Rockefeller, A Biography. New York: Harper & Brothers.
- Paquette, Catha (2017). At the Crossroads: Diego Rivera and his Patrons at MoMA, Rockefeller Center, and the Palace of Fine Arts. Austin: University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-1477311004.
- Rae, Nicol C. "Rockefeller, Nelson Aldrich"; American National Biography Online Feb. 2000. Access: Oct 21 2014
- Rowland, Donald W., History of the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, US Government Printing Office, 1947.
- Turner, Michael. The Vice-President as Policy-Maker: Rockefeller in the Ford White House (1982).
- Underwood, James F., and William J. Daniels. Governor Rockefeller in New York: The Apex of Pragmatic Liberalism in the United States (1982)
External links
- Rockefeller Archive Center: Nelson Rockefeller Contains details on the collection of public and private papers available to researchers at the center.
- The Rocky Roll An extended portrait by Time Magazine of Rockefeller campaigning for Governor of New York in 1958.
- Rockefeller Archive Center: Archived papers of the Special Studies Project, 1956–1960.
- Rockefeller biography at Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Spartacus educational biography.
- Rockefeller profile at SourceWatch.
- Nelson Rockefeller at Find a Grave.
- Finding aid for the Nelson Rockefeller Oral History, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library. Archived January 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Newspaper clippings about Nelson Rockefeller in the 20th Century Press Archives of the ZBW.