Robert W. Woodruff

Robert W. Woodruff

Robert Winship Woodruff (December 6, 1889 – February 2, 1985) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was the president of The Coca-Cola Company from 1923 until 1954. With his large fortune, he established the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, which was dedicated to improving the quality of life in Georgia.

Early Life and Education

Woodruff was born in Columbus, Georgia, the son of Ernest Woodruff, an Atlanta businessman who was a key figure in the purchase of The Coca-Cola Company in 1919. He attended Georgia Military Academy (now Woodward Academy) and then the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but dropped out after a year to work in his father's business.

Career

In 1923, Woodruff was elected president of The Coca-Cola Company. He held this position for over three decades, during which time he increased the company's value from $25 million to $500 million. He was instrumental in establishing the company's global presence and was responsible for introducing the six-pack and the open-top cooler.

Philanthropy

Woodruff was a generous philanthropist. In 1937, he established the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, which has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to various causes in Georgia. He also made significant donations to Emory University, including a $105 million gift in 1979, which was the largest single gift to any institution of higher education at the time.

Personal Life

Woodruff married Nell Hodgson in 1912. They had two children. Woodruff was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. He owned property in Ichauway, Georgia, which he later donated to the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center.

Legacy

Woodruff's legacy is evident in the many institutions in Georgia that bear his name, including the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center, the Woodruff Park, and the Robert W. Woodruff Library at Emory University. His leadership and philanthropy have had a lasting impact on the state of Georgia and beyond.

References

• "Robert W. Woodruff." New Georgia Encyclopedia. www.georgiaencyclopedia.org (accessed Month Day, Year).
• "Robert W. Woodruff." The Coca-Cola Company. www.coca-colacompany.com (accessed Month Day, Year).
• "Robert W. Woodruff." Emory University. www.emory.edu (accessed Month Day, Year).

External Links

• Robert W. Woodruff Foundation
• The Coca-Cola Company
• Emory University