John F. Dryden

John Fairfield Dryden (August 7, 1839 – November 24, 1911) was an American insurance executive and Republican politician who represented New Jersey in the United States Senate from 1902 to 1907. Prior to his election, Dryden founded the Fidelity Trust Company and Prudential Insurance Company. He served as president of Prudential from 1881 until his death, when he was succeeded by his son Forrest F. Dryden. He was known as the "father of industrial insurance". who married Grace Marion Carleton (1865–1936). Susan Fairchild "Susie" Dryden (1870–1932), who married prominent businessman and philanthropist Anthony R. Kuser.

Dryden died in Newark, New Jersey, on November 24, 1911, from pneumonia, following removal of gall stones two weeks earlier. After a funeral at the Third Presbyterian Church in Newark, he was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery there.

Legacy His estate was valued at $50,000,000 at the time of his death (approximately $ in ). In addition to his home in Bernardsville, New Jersey, Dryden was in the process of constructing a home in High Point, New Jersey, that was to be one of the largest homes in the country.