Kellogg, W(ill) K(eith)

(born April 7, 1860, Battle Creek, Mich., U.S.—died Oct. 6, 1951, Battle Creek) U.S. breakfast-cereal manufacturer and philanthropist. After working with his brother John Harvey Kellogg, a physician and health-food pioneer, he founded (1906) the W.K. Kellogg Co. to manufacture dry breakfast cereals, cornflakes being its sole product in the early years. It soon became a leading U.S. producer of these and other convenience foods. By the early 21st century, its annual sales exceeded $9 billion. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is one of the country's largest philanthropic institutions.