Sunday, July 7, 2013

End of an Era

As most of you, my dear readers know, I got my start in the archival profession working at the archives for the Rockefeller family.  It was a good place to work and every year on July 8, we would take the time to remember the birthdays of Nelson Rockefeller and his grandfather, John D. Rockefeller.  There was usually cake, sometimes ice cream, but not necessarily Dubonnet and Oreos.

I noted a few months ago that JDR's great-grandson, John D. Rockefeller IV (Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-WV) has announced his intention to leave the United States Senate.  It marks a significant milestone in the family's history - there will not be a Rockefeller in high office in the United States for the first time in four decades and only the second time since the 1950s.

There are some younger Rockefellers who may be ready to take up the family business, but no one is actively pursuing it - and it also means that Jay's seat will likely turn red in the 2014 elections.

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