Robert W. Welch, Jr.
Robert Henry Winborne Welch Jr. (December 1, 1899 – January 6, 1985), was an American businessman, political activist, author, and gymnast. He was independently wealthy following his retirement and used that wealth to sponsor anti-Communist causes. He co-founded the conservative group the John Birch Society (JBS) in 1958 and tightly controlled it until his death. He became a highly controversial target of criticism by liberals, as well as some leading conservatives such as William F. Buckley, Jr.