The Eccentric Billionaire: John D. Macarthur - Empire Builder, Reluctant Philanthropist, Relentless Adversary

by Nancy Kriplen

He was hated, feared, and admired. The country’s second-richest man at the time of his death, John D. MacArthur (1897-1978) also became one of its great benefactors. Every year, some two dozen American writers, artists, intellectuals, and scientists receive as much as a half million dollars in grants knownas the "genius awards" from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. But MacArthur was not the benevolent figure you might expect. Stingier than J. Paul Getty, as money-obsessed as Howard Hughes, and as ruthless as Cornelius Vanderbilt, MacArthur was one of the most multi-layered men in business history. Now, in this first full biography of John D. MacArthur as he really was, Nancy Kriplen reveals the man behind the myth -- the often vulgar, sometimes unethical, always ambitious rogue who would become one of America’s wealthiest men. The Eccentric Billionaire chronicles how MacArthur amassed his fortune, rising from a poverty-saturated childhood as the son of a fire-and-brimstone preacher to become an insurance and real estate mogul. As sole owner of Bankers Life and Casualty, he also built a real estate empire that spanned the continent. Based on interviews with members of the MacArthur family as well as previously undiscovered letters and papers, this book reveals MacArthur’s tumultuous private life, including his quickie divorce from his first wife and his Mexican marriage to Catherine, his brother’s cute, clever teenage secretary who would help him on his climb to riches. The author also explores MacArthur’s relationships with his family and friends, including his brother, the playwright Charles MacArthur, and sister-in-law, the great actress Helen Hayes. Extensively researched and beautifully written, The Eccentric Billionaire is a revealing look at a man whose influence has extended in ways he never dreamed.

Genres: Biography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Josh Liller · Rating 3 out of 5]

John D. MacArthur is a prominent figure where I live. He is the father of two municipalities (North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens), namesake of a state park, and his Foundation held a great deal of land after his death - some of which would be preserved and some would be developed. This book gives MacArthur's life story, from his origins as the youngest son of an obsessive preacher through his rise to become one of the richest men in America to his death.

At only 177 pages of main text, this is bit of a light biography. At that size and with limited resources available, Kriplen presents the facts but with less depth that I think is desirable. MacArthur was clearly tenacious, brash, and difficult yet colorful and charismatic. He seems a tragically insecure figure, driven to amass vast wealth yet too frugal to live a lavish lifestyle and lacking the desire to use the money for good (his famous foundation formed for tax reasons). Kriplen seems to give MacArthur a fair shake, but he doesn't come off as a very likable or good person. The writing is decent and the chapters short and mostly sharp, although occasionally the narrative takes a turn for colorful, descriptive prose.

Recommended for those who, like me, are aware of of John D. MacArthur and want to know more. If you don't know the name and are just looking for an interesting biography of an interesting person then you may find yourself disappointed.

[erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting and easy read

[Trenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story! Would make a good movie.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about the stubborn & recalcitrant man behind the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. MacArthur was, essentially, the person who started the insurance industry in America and who is, unequivocally, the individual personafide as the quintessential "insurance or used car salesman/schiester (sp?)."

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interested in learning a bit more about the people behind the "John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation" I picked up this book at the library. So now I know a bit more than their names but nothing of real import. What little record there is of his business dealings leads me to believe that John D. was more crook than saint.

[Kevin Kosar · Rating 2 out of 5]

John D. MacArthur was a weirdly but proudly penurious man. Despite his immense wealth, witnesses claim to have seen him pluck food from the trash and ask for food from a stranger’s plate...(read more)

[MadelynKN N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, I had no idea who was behind the Genius Awards. I wonder what the MacArthur foundation thinks of having their patron's morally flexible history exposed?

[Parttime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read, not as detailed as I would want, but perfect for a short plane ride.

[Bill Donhiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting biography of probably one of the least known american ultra rich. Learned more about the man behind the foundation that is mentioned all the time on NPR and the MacArthur genius awards