The Rockefeller Women

Book excerpt: Based on never–before used letters, diaries, and photographs from the Rockefeller Archive, The Rockefeller Women reveals the life of four generations of an extraordinary family: Eliza Davison Rockefeller, the Mother of John D., who instilled in her sons drive for success in business and Christian service; Laura Spelman Rockefeller, the wife of John D., the daughter of an Underground Railway operator and early supporter of racial freedom; Edith Rockefeller McCormick, the daughter of John D. and Laura, who became the queen of Chicago society, studied under Carl Jung and became a lay analyst; Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, the wife of John Jr. and mother of six children — Winthrop, Laurence, Nelson, John III, David and Babs — who helped found the Museum of Modern Art; Margaretta "Happy" Rockefeller whom married Nelson.