John Hopkins
John Hopkins
Full Name and Common Aliases
Johns Hopkins was born as Johns Hopkins on May 19, 1795, in Richmond, Virginia. He is commonly known as Johns Hopkins.
Birth and Death Dates
May 19, 1795 - December 24, 1873
Nationality and Profession(s)
American, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur
Johns Hopkins was an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and one of the wealthiest men in America during his time. He made his fortune primarily through the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) and was also a successful merchant.
Early Life and Background
Johns Hopkins was born into a prominent family in Richmond, Virginia. His father, Samuel Hopkins, was a merchant who had made a significant amount of money trading with the West Indies. Johns' mother, Hannah Elliott Hopkins, came from a wealthy family as well. From an early age, Johns showed a keen interest in business and entrepreneurship.
Johns received little formal education but learned through apprenticeships and hands-on experience in his father's mercantile firm. He became involved in various business ventures, including the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O), which was one of the first railroads in America. His involvement with B&O would eventually make him a fortune.
Major Accomplishments
Johns Hopkins' major accomplishment was making his fortune through shrewd investments and entrepreneurship. He became one of the wealthiest men in America, amassing an enormous amount of wealth from various business ventures. However, he never forgot his humble beginnings and used his wealth to give back to society.
Notable Works or Actions
One of Johns Hopkins' most notable works was establishing the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He left behind a significant portion of his estate - approximately $7 million at the time (equivalent to about $130 million today) - for this purpose. The university's medical school and hospital were built from this endowment.
Impact and Legacy
Johns Hopkins' legacy extends far beyond his philanthropic efforts. His entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen paved the way for future generations of entrepreneurs in America. He is a testament to the American Dream, having risen from humble beginnings to achieve unparalleled success through hard work and strategic investments.
The Johns Hopkins University has grown into one of the world's leading institutions, renowned for its medical research, academic excellence, and innovative approaches to healthcare. The university's medical school and hospital have become global leaders in their field, a testament to Johns' vision and foresight.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Johns Hopkins is widely remembered and quoted because of his remarkable rags-to-riches story, which embodies the American Dream. His entrepreneurial spirit, philanthropic efforts, and commitment to education have left an indelible mark on society. Through his legacy, he continues to inspire generations of entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and leaders.
Johns' legacy extends beyond his personal achievements; it has a profound impact on modern healthcare and education. The university he founded is a beacon of excellence in both fields, attracting the brightest minds from around the world. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of entrepreneurship and philanthropy when guided by vision and compassion.
Johns Hopkins' life and legacy serve as a shining example of what it means to be a true leader and visionary. He has left behind a lasting impact on society, inspiring countless individuals to follow in his footsteps and make a difference through their own entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic efforts.
Quotes by John Hopkins

The herpes virus that I found in the Asian elephants that have died is the same virus that is in African elephants. But it doesn't cause any disease in them,


There was an old wooden shed on the site where the 'garage' was supposed to be, ... It was there when we moved into the house around 1974/75. We used it to store wood and bikes, sleds, etc. My father died in 1994, with no garage ever built.

That's one of the predominant reasons President Bush signed this into law was to conserve energy. So if it is conserving energy everywhere else, it will also have an impact here,

It's really great to get the deal all done and sorted out and to be able to concentrate on the rest of the year,

It's a global market. We need to be able to compete in a global market and in a national market and obviously this is one of the things we should be doing to position ourselves properly.

A major rugby tour by the British Isles to New Zealand is a cross between a medieval crusade and a prep school outing.

Although they might not be able to reduce community rates of violent crime, it's possible they can affect household level risk factors for gun suicide, accidents and homicide,

This gives us hope that we can potentially prevent and reduce morbidity and do it through dietary and lifestyle means,
