Dr. John M. Templeton Jr. (with Josephine)
March 5, 2001 Son of famed financial whiz Sir John Templeton, the younger John chose to pursue medicine instead of a full-time career in finance. After receiving his degree from Harvard Medical School, he spent two years in the U.S. Navy. Templeton went on to work at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 1977 as a pediatric surgeon and trauma program director. Josephine Templeton, also an M.D., worked with John at Children's Hospital as an anesthesiologist. In 1995, Templeton retired from his medical practice to serve as full-time president of the John Templeton Foundation. The foundation, established by his father in 1987, seeks to explore the relationship between scientific and religious knowledge, typically through academic grants and awards. It sponsors the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion, an award given to a "living individual for outstanding originality for advancing the world's understanding of God and spirituality." Templeton also serves as a board member of the Canadian-based Templeton Growth Fund, maintaining an active role in his family's mutual fund. As one of the largest managers of the nation's retirement savings, the company could benefit from President Bush's plan to privatize portions of Social Security. During the last election cycle, Templeton gave $367,000 to the Republican National Committee, and supported the campaigns of conservatives like John Ashcroft. John W. Galbraith (No. 94, $343,250), a former partner of Templeton's father, also backed conservative Republican candidates. -- Joshua Woodard | |
