Philanthropist - Definition and Overview

A philanthropist is someone who devotes her or his time, money, or effort towards helping others. The label is most often applied to someone who gives large amounts to charity. See also philanthropy.

A philanthropist does not always find universal approval for her or his deeds. Common accusations include supporting the wrong cause (such as funding art instead of fighting world hunger) or having selfish motivation at heart (such as avoiding taxes with personal fame as side product).

Notable philanthropists

• Crown Prince Abdullah
• Paul Allen
• Walter Annenberg
• Thomas John Barnardo
• Samuel Augustus Barnett
• Rt Hon Charles Booth
• George Cadbury
• Andrew Carnegie
• Richard Churcher
• Arthur Coles
• Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury
• Bill Cosby
• Anthony J. Drexel
• Henry Duncan
• Harry Fischel
• Henry Ford
• Benjamin Franklin
• Elizabeth Fry
• John 'Mad Jack' Fuller
• Bill Gates
• Bill Gates Sr.
• Calouste Gulbenkian
• Edward Harkness
• Johns Hopkins
• J. C. Jacobsen
• Fred Kavli
• Steve Kirsch
• Sebastian S. Kresge
• Joan Kroc
• Alfred Lee Loomis
• John D. MacArthur
• Sir Robert Mayer
• Sir John Morden
• Genesio Morlacci
• Michael Nesmith
• Robert Raikes
• William Marsh Rice
• John D. Rockefeller
• John D. Rockefeller Jr.
• Henry H. Rogers
• Julius Rosenwald
• Joseph Rowntree
• Sir Run Run Shaw
• Li Ka Shing
• George Soros
• Richard Stallman
• Mother Teresa
• Ted Turner
• Cornelius Vanderbilt
• Joseph Whitworth
• William Wilberforce
• Clara Winthrop
• Sir Alfred Yarrow

See also

• Category:Philanthropists