A titan of finance and industry, J P Morgan almost single-handedly bankrolled the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. As boss of the Wall Street institution that bore his name, the business colossus played an instrumental role in making the US economy the strongest in the world.

Critics labelled Morgan a ruthless "robber baron" who exploited workers, stamped out competition and even "bought" a president. But the "cut-throat capitalist" was also a mega-philanthropist who twice rescued America from financial ruin.

Read on to discover the incredible life and legacy of an influential and controversial figure who changed the world forever.

All dollar amounts in US dollars