Nelson Rockefeller

Nelson Rockefeller (1908-1979) served as the Governor of New York from 1959 to 1973, overseeing a period of significant social and economic change. Rockefeller was a strong advocate for civil rights and environmental conservation, but his tenure was marked by tension between his moderate Republican views and the growing conservative movement within his party. Despite his achievements, he faced criticism for his handling of the state’s finances and his political compromises, especially during his unsuccessful bids for the Republican presidential nomination.