Samuel Lloyd Noble
Samuel Lloyd Noble | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Ardmore, Oklahoma |
| Died | February 14, 1950 (aged 53) |
| Occupation(s) | Oilman, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of Noble Corporation and Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation |
Samuel Lloyd Noble, commonly referred to as Lloyd Noble (November 30, 1896 – February 14, 1950), was a prominent figure in the oil industry and a dedicated philanthropist. He founded both the Noble Corporation and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. His education included studies at Southeastern Normal College in Durant, Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma. Following the death of his father, Noble enlisted in the United States Navy in 1918 and was honorably discharged in 1919 after the conclusion of World War I.
Noble launched his professional journey in Oklahoma’s early oil drilling sector by establishing the Noble Drilling Company on April 1, 1921. The firm distinguished itself by being among the first to utilize Hughes Simplex rock bits developed by the Hughes Tool Company, demonstrating a strong commitment to adopting innovative technologies. Utilizing his financial success, Noble created the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation to promote philanthropy and advancements in agricultural science.
Biography
Originating from a family engaged in hardware retail in Ardmore, Oklahoma, which was then within Chickasaw Indian Territory, Noble initially obtained a teaching certificate before enrolling at the University of Oklahoma. He discontinued his college education to support the family enterprise after his father became ill.
Noble had a keen interest in aviation, geosciences, and progressive scientific innovations. During World War II, he was invited to assist with enhancing oil production in the United Kingdom. Under his leadership, Noble Drilling executed a confidential operation drilling 106 wells within Sherwood Forest between March 1943 and March 1944. This effort increased daily oil output from 700 barrels to more than 3,000 barrels. Notably, the company did not retain any profits from this mission. As an employer, Noble demonstrated generosity by sharing earnings from profitable wells with his workforce.
A strong advocate for education and civic duty, Noble served as a regent for the University of Oklahoma from 1934 until 1948. He played an active role in recruiting faculty and administrative staff and believed that strengthening the university’s football program could contribute to economic recovery following the hardships of the Dust Bowl and Great Depression.
Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
Motivated by concerns about preventing another ecological disaster like the Dust Bowl, Samuel Lloyd Noble established the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation in 1945 with a focus on advancing agricultural science and sustainability. He underscored the importance of collective stewardship, expressing in 1950 that "No man can have assurance for himself and his posterity living for himself alone."
Currently, this Foundation stands as the largest private institution dedicated to agricultural and plant science research in the United States, ranking among the nation’s top 50 private foundations by asset value. Its mission centers on promoting sustainable farming methods aimed at preserving soil and land resources for future generations—a purpose deeply influenced by Noble’s firsthand experiences with Dust Bowl-affected farmland.
Lloyd Noble is acknowledged as one of Oklahoma’s fifty most impactful individuals of the twentieth century.
See also
External links
- Voices of Oklahoma interview with Ann Noble Brown. A firsthand interview conducted on August 29, 2011, featuring Ann Noble Brown, daughter of Samuel Lloyd Noble.