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Robert Winship WoodruffFormer President of the Coca-Cola Company
Date of Birth: 06.12.1889
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Robert Winship Woodruff
Early Life and EducationRobert Winship Woodruff was born on December 6, 1889, in Columbus, GA. He was the son of Ernest Woodruff, a prominent businessman from Atlanta, who led a group of investors that purchased the Coca-Cola Company in 1919 from Asa Griggs Candler. Woodruff attended the Georgia Military Academy and later enrolled at the Georgia Tech, but was expelled. He then briefly attended Emory University before dropping out. Despite his reputation as a partygoer and a slacker, Woodruff would go on to provide significant financial support to the university.
Early Career
At the age of 19, Woodruff started working as a laborer for the General Pipe and Foundry Company in Inman Park, Atlanta. After a year, he moved to the company's subsidiary, General Fire Extinguisher, where his entrepreneurial skills became evident.
Due to his love for automobiles, Woodruff became a salesperson for the White Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio, and quickly rose to the position of vice president. During World War I, he joined the United States Army Ordnance Department and contributed to the development of a new truck, which could only be produced by White Motors. This helped the company become a leading player in the market during the war.
Coca-Cola Presidency
When Coca-Cola faced financial difficulties, Woodruff was elected as the company's president at the age of 33. Under his leadership, Coca-Cola transformed into an international company with a massive turnover. He stepped down as the president in 1954 but remained on the board of directors until 1984. Woodruff passed away on March 7, 1985, and was laid to rest at the Westview Cemetery in southwest Atlanta.
Philanthropy and Legacy
Woodruff and his brother, George, donated $105 million to Emory University in 1979. In total, the university received $230 million from the Woodruff family. Several campus buildings at Emory were named in honor of Robert and his family members. Woodruff also provided support to other colleges and universities.
Woodruff's name is associated with the Robert W. Woodruff Scout Reservation, a Boy Scouts camp built with significant donations from the Woodruff Foundation and Coca-Cola. He played a crucial role in the successful hosting of a special dinner in Atlanta to honor Martin Luther King Jr., who had received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Woodruff announced his support for the banquet when ticket sales were low.
It is known that Woodruff's personal chauffeur was Luther Cain Jr., the father of businessman Herman Cain, who ran as a Republican candidate for president in 2012.
