Mar 19 2020The New York State legislature passes an act incorporating The Rockefeller Foundation; John D. Rockefeller makes initial gifts totaling $35 million, followed by $65 million a year later.
Jan 01 1919The Foundation’s work in the natural sciences begins with support to the National Research Council to establish fellowships in physics and chemistry. More than $4.5 million is expended over the next 33 years to train more than 1,000 individuals.
Jan 01 1919The Foundation establishes a Division of Medical Education to help “strategically placed medical schools in various parts of the world to increase their resources and to improve their teaching and research.” Grants to medical schools follow in England, France, Belgium, Brazil, Southeast Asia, Canada, the South Pacific and other areas.
Jan 01 1918Because the Foundation’s successful hookworm campaign reveals the urgency for trained public health leaders, the Foundation identifies public health education as one of its principal areas of interest, and builds and endows the first school of public health at Johns Hopkins University. Foundation President George E. Vincent calls it “the West Point of public health.”
Jan 01 1918To honor his wife, John D. Rockefeller Sr. establishes the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial, with funds totaling almost $74 million
Jan 01 1918As World War I ends, war relief efforts are substantial. The Foundation spends more than $22 million, sending food supplies to Belgium, Poland, Serbia, Armenia and other countries, even chartering its own ships. Laments President George E. Vincent, “I suppose we had to do it, and I suppose it was worthwhile, but think of the creative job we could have done with that money in a world of reason and sanity!”
Jan 01 1917Peking Union Medical College, established by the Foundation (above), opens its doors in temporary quarters to pre-medical students. According to adviser Simon Flexner, it was to be “the Johns Hopkins of China.”
Jan 01 1917John D. Rockefeller Jr. becomes chair of the board of trustees and serves until 1940. George E. Vincent becomes president of the Foundation and serves until 1929.
Jan 01 1916Commissions are sent to South America to learn about the status of health infrastructure battling yellow fever, as well as to investigate the medical education and public health agencies in Brazil.
Jan 01 1916Work continues on the development of an anti-tetanus serum. Additionally, meningitis and anti-dysentery serums are manufactured and supplied to the British, French, and Italian governments.
