George Walbridge Perkins

Who was George Walbridge Perkins?

George Walbridge Perkins, Sr. was an American politician and businessman. He was a leader of the Progressive Movement, especially the Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive party of 1912. Starting as an office boy he became a leading executive in insurance, steel and banking, always on the alert for new and better ways to do business. He was a top aide to financier J. P. Morgan, and handled complex issues involving U.S. Steel, International Harvester, and other large corporations and insurance companies. He was vice-president of New York Life Insurance Company and a partner in J.P. Morgan & Co. He served as president of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission from its creation in 1900 until his death in 1920.