The younger John D. Rockefeller attended Brown University, and then briefly joined his father's business. Finding the business world to be uninteresting, he turned his attention to philanthropy. He (along with others in his family) created the Rockefeller Foundation, founded Rockefeller University, and constructed the Rockefeller Center in New York City. He also funded the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg, and donated the land on which the United Nations headquarters was built.
He had a special interest in conservation, and purchased and donated land for many American National Parks, including Grand Teton, Acadia, Great Smoky, Yosemite, and Shenandoah.
Two of his children were Nelson Rockefeller and Winthrop Rockefeller, both of whom became state governors.