ROBERT SOMERS BROOKINGS
Robert S. Brookings was born and acquired his early education in Cecil County,
Maryland, before moving to St. Louis, Missouri, to begin his career at age 17.
He began as a clerk and later salesman for Cupples & Marston., manufacturers and
distributors of woodenware. In less than four years he became a partner in the
firm at age twenty-one.
He achieved remarkable success in business at an early age, and began to reach
out for a broader perspective by acquiring education and European culture. He
read deeply under the direction of Dean Snow of Washington College in St. Louis
and travelled extensively in Europe.
As a civic leader and philanthropist, Brookings turned his creative energy to
building Washington University and other St. Louis institutions until, with the
coming of World War I, he moved to Washington and onto the world stage. He
served on the new War Industries Board as commissioner of Finished Products and
Chairman of the Price Fixing Committee. In this role he became the link between
the government and hundreds of industries. He achieved remarkable results under
very difficult circumstances, and for his war service he was recognized with the
U.S. Distinguished Service Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and Italy's
Commander of the Crown.
Robert S. Brookings was born and acquired his early education in Cecil County,
Maryland, before moving to St. Louis, Missouri, to begin his career at age 17.
He began as a clerk and later salesman for Cupples & Marston., manufacturers and
distributors of woodenware. In less than four years he became a partner in the
firm at age twenty-one.
He achieved remarkable success in business at an early age, and began to reach
out for a broader perspective by acquiring education and European culture. He
read deeply under the direction of Dean Snow of Washington College in St. Louis
and travelled extensively in Europe.
As a civic leader and philanthropist, Brookings turned his creative energy to
building Washington University and other St. Louis institutions until, with the
coming of World War I, he moved to Washington and onto the world stage. He
served on the new War Industries Board as commissioner of Finished Products and
Chairman of the Price Fixing Committee. In this role he became the link between
the government and hundreds of industries. He achieved remarkable results under
very difficult circumstances, and for his war service he was recognized with the
U.S. Distinguished Service Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and Italy's
Commander of the Crown.