MacArthur, John D.

MacArthur, John D.

(1897–1978) businessman, philanthropist; born in Pittson, Pa. He made a fortune through selling cheap life insurance policies. He expanded into real estate and became the largest landowner in Florida. He left most of his wealth to the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, famous for making grants to "geniuses" for prolonged independent projects.