A Classification of American Wealth
History and genealogy of the wealthy families of America - Sponsors

   Wealth in America throughout History   

The United States of America have long been recognized as the country where dreams of wealth and money would come true, based upon boundless opportunities and liberal economic policies, where solely by steady endeavor and persistence, millionaire and billionaire selfmademen could emerge. The recent rise of Internet billionaires, many of them bright but modest immigrants, reaffirms this image of the wealthiest and the mightiest nation on Earth.

When the first settlers arrived on the shores of New England some 400 years ago, their driving force was to start a new life, away from the (mostly religious) persecution in England and Continental Europe. America, was soon recognized as the land of economic opportunities and more immigrants streamed in, this time seeking fortune.

Throughout history, the United States of America produced large fortunes and capitalists which soon became as famous and probably more powerful than many of the Nation’s statesmen. Many American millionaires themselves sought public offices and thus the line between wealth and political influence became blurred at certain times.

Many works have been written about American millionaires and billionaires, selfmade men, industrial tycoons, railroad barons, merchant princes,...  Names like Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Ford or Mellon, or more recently Sam Walton, Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are familiar to most Americans, as well as to the rest of the World. More than in any other country,  sucessful businessmen and capitalists found their place in history and reference works in America and the media are also reserving ample space for stories and gossips about the rich and famous.

Yet, despite all this coverage, we feel there is still a need for a more complete reference work, tracing American fortunes and the wealthy families throughout the history of the Nation. This work is an attempt to compound such a reference and set up a Classification of American Wealth, starting with the Manor Lords of the colonial times and ending with todays high tech wizards of the Internet.

The following index outlines the content of this work, whereas certain chapters still need to be written. Additional chapters may be included and titles or content will be completed as our insight into the subject improves. Aside from the main text elements, this web site also features links to related web sites, bibliographies, lists and charts, and more generally all items which can enlighten us on the path of discovering the history of American Wealth...

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