Laurance Spelman Rockefeller (1910-2004)

He was born in New York City and graduated from Princeton and Harvard Law School. He carved out a distinctive career path that combined business innovation with environmental stewardship. As a venture capitalist, he was ahead of his time, investing in emerging technologies and startup companies decades before venture capital became mainstream. He founded Venrock Associates and made early investments in companies like Intel, Apple Computer, and numerous aerospace and electronics firms. His investment philosophy focused on backing innovative technologies that could benefit society, particularly in aviation, electronics, and later, environmental technologies. However, his greatest passion was natural conservation. 

He dedicated the greater part of his life and fortune to preserving America's natural heritage, earning the sobriquet, "America's Leading Conservationist." He played crucial roles in establishing and expanding numerous national parks, including the Virgin Islands National Park, which he helped create by purchasing and donating thousands of acres of land on the island of Saint John. He was instrumental in the creation of several other parks and protected areas, including parts of Grand Teton National Park, Redwood National Park, and various state parks. His conservation philosophy emphasized making natural areas accessible to the public while preserving their ecological integrity.

He combined investing and preservation through developing eco-friendly luxury resorts that demonstrated how tourism could co-exist with conservation. His Caneel Bay resort in the Virgin Islands became a model for sustainable hospitality. He served on numerous conservation boards and among other honors received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1969) and the Congressional Gold Medal (1991) for conservation. Through the American Conservation Association and other organizations he founded and supported, he helped shape modern environmental policy and land preservation practices. His legacy represents a unique blend of entrepreneurial capitalism and environmental activism that influenced both worlds.  In 2003, Forbes Magazine estimated his net worth at $1.5 billion, ranking as the 140th richest American. He was survived by his wife and four children.