Florida's Flagler - by Sidney Walter Martin (Paperback)

About the Book

Published in 1949, this is the first biography of Flager, a railroad tycoon and partner with John D. Rockefeller in the Standard Oil Company who devoted the better part of his life and his wealth to the development of Florida.

Book Synopsis

Henry Morrison Flagler (1830-1913) was a railroad tycoon and partner with John D. Rockefeller in the Standard Oil Company. Although most of his fortune was made in the North, he devoted the better part of his life and his wealth to the development of Florida. Published in 1949, Florida's Flagler was the first biography of Flagler, tracing his life from his heritage and youth through his early dealings in grain, his association with Rockefeller, and his later activities in Florida. Sidney Walter Martin presents a colorful and authoritative account of the accomplishments and failures of this controversial figure.

Review Quotes

A careful piece of research that fills a gap heretofore left empty, since there is no other adequate biography of Flagler. For Florida history, the volume tells the story of one of its most significant periods of growth.

--Journal of Southern History

Martin's portrait of the Florida empire builder illuminates a gaudy phase of southern history in a way no other book does.

--C. Vann Woodward

This study of Henry M. Flagler should receive widespread popular approval. It is written in a lively and engaging style; it is scholarly and unbiased; it gives the complete story of this colorful businessman's life, though naturally his empire-building in Florida stands out most boldly. Dr. Martin has written an important book.

--E. Merton Coulter

About the Author

SIDNEY WALTER MARTIN (1911-2000) spent the majority of his career teaching at the University of Georgia. He served as the president of Emory University from 1957-1962 and later became vice-chancellor for academic affairs of the University System of Georgia.