Hugh Roy Cullen
Encyclopedia
Hugh Roy Cullen was an American
industrialist and philanthropist
. Cullen was heavily involved in the petroleum industry
, was a large supporter of the University of Houston
, and longtime chairman of the board of regents for the university. He is considered one of the most important figures in Texas during the Oil Boom
era.
Cullen married Lillie Cranz in 1902 and had five children: Roy Gustav, Lillie, Agnes, Margaret, and Wilhelmina.
In 1938, the Cullens made a contribution to build the Roy Gustav Cullen Building on the new campus of the University of Houston. He would continue to make large donations to the university throughout his lifetime. The Cullen Foundation is still a large contributor to the school.
Cullen had been in his early life a Democrat, but supported Herbert Hoover
and other Republicans
after 1929 due to the belief that the Democratic Party was, at the national level, the party of machine politics and socialism. Additionally he was critical of fellow Houston leader Jesse H. Jones. He was also at one point a supporter of the Dixiecrat movement:
" Although Cullen aided the Dixiecrat movement in 1948, he normally supported Republican candidates, particularly Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952." - Handbook of Texas Online
In 1946, he donated the land that later became Texas Southern University
.
In 1947, the Cullens created the Cullen Foundation. In late 1954, less than three years before his death, Cullen's fortune was estimated to be $200–300 million.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
industrialist and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. Cullen was heavily involved in the petroleum industry
Petroleum industry
The petroleum industry includes the global processes of exploration, extraction, refining, transporting , and marketing petroleum products. The largest volume products of the industry are fuel oil and gasoline...
, was a large supporter of the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, and longtime chairman of the board of regents for the university. He is considered one of the most important figures in Texas during the Oil Boom
Texas Oil Boom
The Texas Oil Boom, sometimes called the Gusher Age, was a period of dramatic change and economic growth in U.S. state of Texas during the early 20th century that began with the discovery of a large petroleum reserve near Beaumont, Texas...
era.
Cullen married Lillie Cranz in 1902 and had five children: Roy Gustav, Lillie, Agnes, Margaret, and Wilhelmina.
In 1938, the Cullens made a contribution to build the Roy Gustav Cullen Building on the new campus of the University of Houston. He would continue to make large donations to the university throughout his lifetime. The Cullen Foundation is still a large contributor to the school.
Cullen had been in his early life a Democrat, but supported Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
and other Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
after 1929 due to the belief that the Democratic Party was, at the national level, the party of machine politics and socialism. Additionally he was critical of fellow Houston leader Jesse H. Jones. He was also at one point a supporter of the Dixiecrat movement:
" Although Cullen aided the Dixiecrat movement in 1948, he normally supported Republican candidates, particularly Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952." - Handbook of Texas Online
In 1946, he donated the land that later became Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University is a historically black university located in Houston, Texas, United States....
.
In 1947, the Cullens created the Cullen Foundation. In late 1954, less than three years before his death, Cullen's fortune was estimated to be $200–300 million.