Robert worked with his elder brother for Cupples & Marston, a wood products manufacturing company. He eventually became a partner in the business at the age of 21. After turning Cupples into a leader in its industry, Brookings retired at the age of 46 and turned his attention to Washington University Corporation. He purchased many new properties for the university and convinced the board of directors to establish a medical school and financed the development himself. President Woodrow Wilson appointed Brookings chairman of the Price Fixing Committee of the War Industries Board in 1917. He was later commissioned by President Taft to do a study of the president’s budget plan. He developed the Robert Brookings Graduate School in Economics and Government (later called the Brookings Institute) and authored several books on economic theory and government. (bio by: Connie Nisinger)  Family links:  Spouse:  Isabel Valle January Brookings (1876 – 1965)* *Calculated relationship