Ben Hill Griffin, Jr.
| Ben Hill Griffin Jr. | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
October 20, 1910 Tiger Bay, Florida |
| Died | March 1, 1990 (aged 79) Avon Park, Florida |
| Nationality | United States |
| Alma mater | University of Florida |
| Known for |
Businessman Citrus Grower Politician Philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) | Eleanor Griffin |
Ben Hill Griffin Jr. (October 20, 1910 – March 1, 1990) was a prominent American businessman, citrus grower, politician and philanthropist who was a native and resident of Florida. Griffin was an alumnus of the University of Florida, a former legislator, a one-time candidate for governor and a patron of college sports and higher education in Florida. Several of Griffin's grandchildren remain active in Florida politics. Griffin is the subject of the final chapter of John McPhee's work of creative nonfiction 'Oranges'.
Griffin was born during a hurricane in the former town of Tiger Bay, near Fort Meade, Florida. He attended Frostproof High School in Frostproof, Florida, where he was responsible for starting the high school football program in 1929. After graduating from high school, Griffin studied economics, marketing and agriculture at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (Alpha Epsilon chapter).
In 1933, Griffin left the University of Florida after three years without earning a degree to find a job during the Great Depression. He unsuccessfully sought work in New York City, then returned home to Frostproof, Florida and began his business with a 10-acre (40,000 m2) orange grove, a wedding gift from his father, and built it into a citrus business empire.
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