Date of Birth: October 27, 1874
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: July 11, 1962
Biography
Owen D. Young was an influential American industrialist, businessman, lawyer, and diplomat, born on October 27, 1874, in Van Hornesville, New York. He is best known for his role as the founder and chairman of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and for his efforts in international diplomacy, particularly the Young Plan, which aimed to restructure Germany’s reparations following World War I. Young grew up in a small farming community and pursued higher education at St. Lawrence University, graduating in 1894. He then attended Boston University School of Law, where he earned his law degree in 1896. Young’s early career was marked by his work as a lawyer, which eventually led him to join General Electric (GE) in 1913. He quickly rose through the ranks to become GE’s chairman of the board. In 1919, Young was instrumental in the creation of RCA, serving as its first chairman. Under his leadership, RCA became a dominant force in the burgeoning radio industry and later expanded into television. His vision and business acumen were pivotal in establishing RCA as a technological and broadcasting powerhouse. Young played a significant role in international finance and diplomacy. In 1924, he was appointed to the Dawes Committee, which developed the Dawes Plan to help Germany pay its World War I reparations. His work on the Young Plan in 1929 further refined the reparations schedule, earning him international acclaim. Owen D. Young retired from his business endeavors in the 1930s but continued to influence public policy and education. He served on various boards and was a trustee of numerous educational institutions until his death on July 11, 1962.
5 Interesting Facts about Owen D. Young
1. Owen D. Young was the founder and first chairman of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA).
2. He played a crucial role in the Dawes Plan (1924) and the Young Plan (1929), which restructured Germany’s war reparations.
3. Young was considered for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1932 but ultimately did not run.
4. He was a trustee of several educational institutions, including St. Lawrence University and the Rockefeller Foundation.
5. Young received the Hoover Medal in 1930 for his contributions to public service and engineering.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Owen D. Young
1. “The power to create and to command is the highest human endowment.”
2. “The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.”
3. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
4. “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.”
5. “The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Owen D. Young’s net worth was estimated to be around $200 million (adjusted for inflation).
Children
Owen D. Young had five children: Josephine Young, John Young, Richard Young, Philip Young, and Robert Young.
Relevant Links
1. [Biography of Owen D. Young](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_D._Young
2. [Owen D. Young – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Owen-D-Young
3. [Owen D. Young and the Dawes Plan](https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/dawes
