William L. McKnight

William L. McKnight
Born	November 11, 1887 White, South Dakota
Died	March 4, 1978
Known for	Founding The McKnight Foundation in 1953 and being it's chairman of the board.

William L. McKnight (November 11, 1887 – March 4, 1978) was an American businessman and philanthropist who served his entire career in the 3M corporation, rising to chairman of the board from 1949 to 1966. He founded The McKnight Foundation in 1953.

William L. McKnight was the third child born to homesteaders Joseph and Cordelia McKnight, who left the East in 1880 to claim a homestead in South Dakota. William was born in the family’s sod house in White, South Dakota.

McKnight attended Duluth Business University, and upon graduation began working for 3M Corporation as an Assistant Bookkeeper in May 1907, at a salary of $11.55 per week. McKnight began to understand the dire financial situation of 3M, and his ideas for making better products and cutting costs gained the admiration of the general manager, who promoted McKnight to cost accountant. Two years after that, he was placed in charge of the company’s Chicago office.

In 1914, McKnight was promoted to general manager of 3M, and moved to the company’s headquarters in St. Paul. In June 1916 McKnight became 3M’s vice president at age 29. Soon afterwards, Edgar Ober, the company's President, became ill, leaving McKnight running 3M - he officially became president in August 1929. He served as president until 1949, as chairman of the board from 1949–1966, and as honorary chairman of the board until 1972.

McKnight’s business sense and emphasis on research and development helped bring 3M back from the brink of bankruptcy and turn it into the large, multinational corporation.

McKnight was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1995.

McKnight encouraged 3M management to delegate responsibility and encourage men and women to exercise their initiative and his management theories are still the guiding principles for 3M.

Many believe McKnight's greatest contribution was as a business philosopher, since he created a corporate culture that encourages employee initiative and innovation. His basic rule of management was laid out in 1948:

The McKnight Foundation was established in Minneapolis in 1953 by William L. McKnight and his wife, Maude L. McKnight. One of the early leaders of 3M, William L. McKnight rose from assistant bookkeeper to president and CEO in a career that spanned 59 years, from 1907 to 1966. The McKnight Foundation, however, is an independent private philanthropic organization; it is not affiliated with the 3M Company.

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