14. Samuel Insull
Samuel Insull was a British-born American public utilities magnate who played a pivotal role in developing the United States’ electrical infrastructure. After working with Thomas Edison, he became president of the Chicago Edison Company in 1892. Insull expanded his influence by forming holding companies that controlled numerous utilities and railroads, creating a vast empire. However, during the Great Depression, his highly leveraged holdings collapsed, leading to the loss of investors’ savings and his own financial ruin. He was later acquitted of fraud and embezzlement charges (britannica.com).
