8. E.H. Harriman
Edward Henry Harriman was a prominent American financier and railroad magnate in the late 19th century. He began his career as a broker’s clerk in New York and, by 1870, had secured a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1898, Harriman led a syndicate to acquire the Union Pacific Railroad Company, which was then in receivership. Under his leadership, the company emerged from bankruptcy and prospered. He expanded his influence by gaining control of other major rail lines, notably the Southern Pacific in 1901. Harriman’s aggressive consolidation tactics reshaped the railroad industry, earning him both admiration for his business acumen and criticism for his monopolistic practices. His methods were so impactful that they attracted the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt, who denounced them in 1907. At the time of his death in 1909, Harriman’s influence extended over 60,000 miles of track (britannica.com).
