A famous art and rare-book collector, John Pierpont Morgan was also a great philanthropist. He donated money to the New York Public Library and many New York City hospitals. He expanded his family's banking business into railroads, shipping, telephones, insurance, and steel. Morgan became a symbol of financial stability--he even lent money to the U.S. government. The company he founded, J.P. Morgan and Co., is still in existence today.
