Final answer:
Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller are notable for their extensive philanthropic efforts, with Carnegie funding education and the arts, and Rockefeller contributing to public health, medical training, and more, making them stand out among their peers, including Vanderbilt and Morgan.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering who was the best philanthropist among Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan, it’s important to look at their philanthropic contributions. While J.P. Morgan was a major financier and invested in numerous enterprises, he believed in the wealthy giving back to the community, though his philanthropic efforts are less renowned than some of his peers. On the other hand, Andrew Carnegie stands out for his extensive philanthropy. After selling his steel company, Carnegie dedicated the rest of his life to giving away his fortune. He funded the establishment of libraries, universities, and foundations such as the Carnegie Mellon University and the Carnegie Hall. Meanwhile, John D. Rockefeller created the Rockefeller Foundation, which provided funds for public health, medical training, arts, and other philanthropic endeavors. Although Vanderbilt did contribute to philanthropy, such as endowing Vanderbilt University, his efforts are often eclipsed by those of Carnegie and Rockefeller.
In historical context, the scale and scope of Carnegie's and Rockefeller’s contributions to philanthropy were truly unprecedented and had a long-lasting impact, arguably making them stand out as the most notable philanthropists of their time.