Robert Somers Brookings (born January 22, 1850, Cecil County, Maryland; died November 15, 1932, Washington, D.C.) was an American businessman and philanthropist, known for his involvement with Washington University in St. Louis and his founding of the Brookings Institution. January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1850 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Cecil County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. ... November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will take you to a full 1932 calendar). ... Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C. in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia. ... “Washington University” redirects here. ... The Brookings Institution is one of the oldest and best known think tanks in the United States. ...

Brookings grew up near Baltimore, Maryland. At age 17, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri to join his brother Harry as an employee of Cupples & Marston, wholesale dealers in household goods. By 1872, Robert and Harry Brookings had become partners in the firm, and it prospered under their management. Nickname: Monument City, Charm City, Mob Town, B-more, Bodymore, Murderland Motto: Get In On It (formerly The City That Reads and The Greatest City in America; BELIEVE is not the official motto but rather a specific campaign) Location of Baltimore in Maryland Coordinates: Country United States State Maryland County... Nickname: Gateway City, Gateway to the West, or Mound City Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: Country United States State Missouri County Independent City Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area    - City 66. ...

In 1895, Brookings, now financially secure, decided to leave the day-to-day management of the company and focus on charitable and philanthropic endeavors. He became chairman of the board of trustees of Washington University, remaining on the board for the rest of his life and donating over $5 million to the school in cash and property. The university's main building, Brookings Hall, is named for him. Washington University in St. ...

In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson appointed Brookings to the War Industries Board, and later named him chairman of its Price Fixing Committee. In this role, he was the liason between the U.S. government and many different industries. Brookings was awarded the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and Italy's Commander of the Crown for his wartime work. Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924) was the 28th President of the United States (1913–1921). ... The War Industries Board (WIB) was an organization established by the United States on July 28, 1917 and reorganized in 1918 under the leadership of Bernard M. Baruch. ... The Distinguished Service Medal (D.S.M.) is a military decoration for courage. ... Medal for the officer class, decorated with a rosette Napoleon wearing the Grand Cross The President of France is the Grand Master of the Legion. ...

In 1916, Brookings established the Institute for Government Research, an independent organization dedicated to political study. He later founded an Institute of Economics and a graduate school of public policy. In 1927, these three entities were merged into the Brookings Institution, which remains one of the leading think tanks in the United States. The Brookings Institution is one of the oldest and best known think tanks in the United States. ... This article is about the institution. ...

Brookings wrote three books: Industrial Ownership (1925), Economic Democracy (1929), and The Way Forward (1932). He died in 1932 in Washington, D.C. and is buried in St. Louis.

External links

• Brookings Institution biography
• Three more biographical articles about Brookings (St. Louis University website)