Robert Ralph Young (1897–1958) was an American financier and industrialist. He is best known for leading the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railway and the New York Central Railroad during and after World War II. He was also a brother-in-law of the noted western painter Georgia O’Keeffe.
Born in Canadian, Texas, Young worked at E. I. DuPont, General Motors, and was for a while a film distributor and financier. In 1942, Young owned a controlling interest in the Alleghany Corporation, a railroad holding company for the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railway, Pere Marquette Railroad, and other railroad properties.
Young completely revitalized under Young and eventually became one of the most substantial railroads in the East. He instituted the first large-scale railroad computer system and diversified into freight traffic. He introduced high-speed diesel-powered passenger trains and larger and better freight cars.
Young was also a managing owner of New York Central Railroad 1954–58 but struggled to keep his financial promises to his investors and committed suicide after a bout of depression.
Joseph Borkin wrote the biography Robert R. Young, the Populist of Wall Street (1969.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Robert R. Young
There can be no liberty that isn’t earned.
—Robert R. Young
Topics: Liberty
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