Andrew William Mellon (March 24, 1855 - August 26, 1937) was an American banker, businessman, industrialist, philanthropist, Ambassador to the UK and US Secretary of the Treasury from 1921-32. He also branched into industrial activities: oil, steel, shipbuilding, and construction. Areas where Mellon's backing created giant enterprises included aluminum, industrial abrasives, and coke. Mellon financed Charles Martin Hall, whose refinery grew into the Alcoa. He became the partner of Edward Acheson in manufacturing silicon carbide, a revolutionary abrasive, in the Carborundum Company. He created an entire industry through his help to Heinrich Koppers, inventor of coke ovens which transformed industrial waste into usable products such as coal-gas, coal-tar, and sulfur. He also became an early investor in the NY Shipbuilding Corporation. Mellon was one of the wealthiest people in the US, while he served as Secretary of the Treasury Department his wealth peaked at around $300-$400 million in 1929-30. He died in 1937 at the age of 82. No photographer credited, undated.