David L. Seim. Rockefeller Philanthropy and Modern Social Science.

Abstract

Historians of the social sciences will find much to like about this volume, although it falls short of defining the state of scholarship in the field. What Rockefeller Philanthropy and Modern Social Science does is present a clearly written, deeply researched review of how Rockefeller philanthropy initially engaged the social sciences in the United States and Europe up to 1930. The author avoids both historiographic and social science jargon, and sticks closely to original sources in developing the story. His narrative style should make the volume accessible to a wide range of readers who need a thorough introduction to the subject. Readers may be surprised to find that the author commits a substantial portion of the book (the first third) to an examination of John D. Rockefeller's business and philanthropic practices, grappling with the perspectives of his contemporary critics and Rockefeller's own words and views. Although the examination strains to be balanced, and provides some insight into the origins and context of Rockefeller philanthropy, others have dealt more effectively with the matter of why and how the titan of unfettered industrial capitalism devoted so much of his wealth to education and research.