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Born
Born in Columbus, Georgia, the son of Ernest Woodruff a leader of investors who bought The Coca-Cola Company from Asa Griggs Chandler in 1919. -
First Job
He worked as a laborer at the General Pipe and Foundry Company foundry in Inman Park, Atlanta. For a week he shoveled and shifted sand, then worked a lathe as a machinist's apprentice. Until he was fired a year later. -
General Fire Extinguisher
He was rehired by General's parent company, General Fire Extinguisher where he worked his way into sales. -
White Motor Company
Woodruff parlayed his love of early automobiling into a sales position at White Motor Company based in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Woodruff's compelling personality quickly made him the company's most successful salesman, and he was soon promoted to vice president and general sales manager. -
Coca-Cola President
Meanwhile, Mr. Woodruff had invested along with many other Atlantans in The Coca-Cola Company, which had been acquired and taken public by a syndicate led by The Trust Company of Georgia. After the acquisition, the company fell on lean times. Mr. Woodruff was persuaded to return to Atlanta and become its president. -
Change in Coca-Cola
Woodruff built Coca-Cola into an international company, establishing a foreign department. -
Trebor Foundation
During the next six decades, Mr. Woodruff established a remarkable record as a businessman and philanthropist. Mr. Woodruff gave anonymously to many institutions, a number of which owe their very existence to his generosity. Much of his philanthropy was directed through the Trebor Foundation. -
Emory University
Mr. Woodruff and his brother also presided over the Emily and Ernest Woodruff Fund, a separate charitable foundation whose assets of approximately $105 million were distributed to Emory University. -
Death
Died in Atlanta, Georgia he is now buried in Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia.
