Samuel Insull (November 11, 1859 – July 16, 1938) was a prominent American business magnate known as the 'father of electric utilities.' Born in London, he emigrated to the U.S. and served as Thomas Edison's private secretary. Insull revolutionized the power industry by consolidating small electric companies, building large-scale generating stations, and promoting widespread electrification. He made electricity affordable for ordinary households and pioneered utility regulation models. However, his empire collapsed during the Great Depression, leading to bankruptcy and fraud charges. Insull died in Paris in 1938, leaving a complex legacy of innovation and risk.
