About this episode

This episode explores the life and legacy of Jay Gould, a notorious figure among the 19th century Robber Barons known for his unethical business practices.

Jay Gould became hugely rich without ever really making a product or offering a service to benefit his customers. Other "Robber Barons" in the 19th century forged steel or pumped oil to make money - but Gould preferred to manipulate the stock market or bribe judges and politicians to generate a profit.  Even when he was fired from the railway company he mismanaged, he used this inside information to profit from the soaring share price. No one liked Jay Gould - indeed many people physically assaulted him because of his awful behaviour - but his real legacy was the raft of laws America passed to try to prevent such a businessman ever rising to power again.    Write to us at  businesshistory@pushkin.fm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Topics covered

• Robber Barons
• stock market manipulation
• 19th century business
• Jay Gould
• American history
• business ethics

Keywords

• Jay Gould
• Robber Barons
• stock market
• business history
• American laws
• manipulation
• political bribery

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pushkin Industries, America

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