John Pierpont Morgan (1837--1913) known as J. P. Morgan, was the leading American banker and industrialist for the thirty years prior to the First World War.

Morgan began his career as an accountant and banking agent, becoming in 1871 a partner in the firm Drexel, Morgan, the main source of U. S. Government finance. He was able to draw on capital in Great Britain to accelerate American development of industry and infrastructure. 

In 1885 Morgan started his career as a railroad organizer, eventually controlling directly over 5000 miles of American railroads and influencing even more. He then moved on to acquire interests in other important industries. 

Groups led by Morgan founded United States Steel Corporation, International Harvester Company,  and General Electric. He also formed the International Merchant Marine, a group of shipping lines. 

Morgan led a successful move to prevent a financial panic in 1907. Thereafter he gained control of many banks and insurance companies.