Hulett Clinton Merritt (August 17, 1872 – January 13, 1956) was an American real estate developer, investor, rancher and art collector.

[1][2] He was also a business partner of John D. Rockefeller, with whom he invested in mining, railroads and steamships in the Great Lakes.

[5] Upon his father's death, Merritt inherited the entire Mesabi Range, and he became Rockefeller's partner.

[2] Merritt joined the board of directors of U.S. Steel at the age of 28, and he became its largest common stockholder.

[8] He also invested in gold, silver, iron, coal and chromium mines as well as paper mills, banks, hotels, restaurants, merchandising, manufacturing, steamships, sugar, cattle-raising, and fisheries.

[1] They had a son, Hulett C. Merritt Jr., who served in World War I and managed the Tagus Ranch; he predeceased them in 1945.

[1] He was survived by his brother Huntington of Stockton, his sister Evelyn Reed of El Cerrito, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

[12] However, they were required to file affidavits saying they had not smoked or drunk alcohol in 90 days before receiving their share on a quarterly basis.