Richard B. Mellon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard B. Mellon
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | March 19, 1858 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|
| Died | December 1, 1933 (aged 75) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Pittsburgh |
| Children |
|
| Signature | |
 |
|
Richard Beatty Mellon (born March 19, 1858 – died December 1, 1933) was an important American banker and businessman. People sometimes called him R.B. He was also a generous person who gave a lot of money to good causes. He came from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Contents
About Richard B. Mellon
_LCCN2016849723.jpg)
Richard B. Mellon worked closely with his brother, Andrew Mellon. Their father was Judge Thomas Mellon. Richard worked under Andrew at Mellon Bank. In 1921, Richard became the bank's president. This happened when Andrew was chosen to be the United States Treasury Secretary. The Treasury Secretary is in charge of the country's money.
The Mellon brothers also gave money to many good causes. They made large donations to their old university, the University of Pittsburgh. They even helped create the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. This institute was built to honor their father. Today, it is part of Carnegie Mellon University.
Business and Industry
R.B. Mellon was a leader in several big companies. From 1899 to 1910, he was president of the Pittsburgh Reduction Company. This company later changed its name to the Aluminum Company of America, or Alcoa. He also invested a lot in the Pittsburgh Coal Company. This company is now part of CONSOL Energy. At the coal company, he had disagreements with John L. Lewis, who led the United Mine Workers union.
Later, R.B. Mellon helped start Mellbank Corporation. This was a company that owned many banks. It helped these banks get through the Great Depression. The Great Depression was a time in the 1930s when many people lost their jobs and money.
Helping Pittsburgh Grow
In 1918, R.B. Mellon started the Citizens' Committee on City Plan. This group wanted to make Pittsburgh a better city. They worked on improving how the city was planned. They also helped with zoning, which means deciding how land can be used.
Because of his efforts to help the city, there is an award named after him. The Air and Waste Management Association gives the Richard Beatty Mellon Award. It honors people who help reduce pollution.
In 1931, R.B. Mellon and C.C. Macdonald took control of Idlewild Park. This is an amusement park in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. He also started a private club called the Rolling Rock Club.
Giving Back
Richard B. Mellon mostly gave money to churches. In 1926, he set up a fund of $15 million. This money was used to help Presbyterian ministers when they retired. This is called a pension fund.
He and his wife, Jennie Taylor King, gave a lot of money to the Cathedral of Hope. This was the new building for the East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Richard and his family had attended this church for many years. He passed away on December 1, 1933. He died before the new church building was finished.
Richard B. Mellon's children were Sarah Mellon and Richard King Mellon. They, along with their cousins Paul Mellon and Ailsa Mellon-Bruce, inherited the family's wealth.
Images for kids
-
Richard B. Mellon
-
Richard B. Mellon's signature
