du Pont Family
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Who are the du Pont family?
The du Pont family is a French-descended American family whose wealth originated in explosives and textiles before expanding into other manufacturing areas. Pierre-Samuel du Pont, born in Paris, was a writer for the physiocratic school of economics, and his sons went on to establish the two branches of the du Pont family.
One son, Eleuthère-Irénée du Pont, who had worked at the French royal powder works, founded a gunpowder plant near Wilmington, Delaware, in 1802. The plant became highly profitable, especially during the War of 1812, and marked the beginning of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. In the early 20th century, the du Pont family and their company significantly influenced Delaware's development, with their wealth benefiting the state through infrastructure and philanthropic efforts.
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Where did the du Pont family come from originally?
The du Pont family's origins trace back to France, where Pierre-Samuel du Pont was a writer and economist. His sons established two branches of the family. Victor-Marie du Pont, one of Pierre-Samuel's sons, held various posts in the French legation to the United States before settling there in 1800 and becoming a naturalized citizen. Eleuthère-Irénée du Pont, the other son, worked at the French royal powder works before also moving to America in 1800. He founded a gunpowder plant near Wilmington, Delaware in 1802, marking the beginning of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
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What major business did the du Pont family start in America?
In 1802, Éleuthère Irénée du Pont established E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company near Wilmington, Delaware. The company initially produced gunpowder, which became highly profitable, especially during the War of 1812.
Later, the company diversified into various other chemicals, materials, and products, including industrial chemicals, synthetic fibers, and pharmaceuticals. By the 20th century, DuPont had become the largest producer of explosives in the United States.
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How did the du Pont family become so wealthy and influential?
The du Pont family's wealth and influence began with Éleuthère Irénée du Pont, who established a gunpowder plant in Delaware in 1802. The company, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., became highly profitable, especially during the War of 1812, due to the poor quality and high price of American powder at the time.
In the early 20th century, the du Pont family and their company significantly impacted Delaware's development. The DuPont Company earned enormous profits through sales to the United States and its allies during World War I. Several du Ponts used their wealth to benefit the state.
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What are some important inventions or products created by du Pont family businesses?
The du Pont family, of French descent, established a fortune in the U.S. through explosives and textiles, later expanding into other manufacturing areas. E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company was founded in 1802 to produce black powder and other explosives.
Later, the company diversified and created numerous products, including neoprene synthetic rubber (1931) and nylon (1938). Additional synthetic materials developed by DuPont include Lucite, Teflon, Lycra, Orlon, Mylar, Kevlar, Tyvek, and Dacron polyester. In 1986, DuPont also launched Stainmaster carpets.
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How has the du Pont family impacted American society and history over time?
The du Pont family has significantly shaped American society through business, politics, and philanthropy. Originating in France, Pierre-Samuel du Pont's sons established the family's American presence, with Éleuthère Irénée du Pont founding a gunpowder plant in Delaware in 1802 that evolved into the DuPont Company.
The DuPont Company became a major manufacturer of chemicals and explosives and also diversified into various other products such as synthetic materials. The DuPont family also contributed to Delaware's infrastructure and education, with members funding highways and schools in the early 20th century.
However, the family's history is also marked by controversy, including John du Pont's conviction for the murder of Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz. Additionally, the DuPont Company has faced environmental concerns, such as fines for PFOA contamination.
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du Pont Family, French-descended American family whose fortune was founded on explosive powders and textiles and who diversified later into other areas of manufacturing. Pierre-Samuel du Pont (q.v.), born in Paris, was one of the main writers of the physiocratic school of economics. His sons founded the two branches of the du Pont family.
The first son, Victor-Marie du Pont (1767–1827), was attaché to the first French legation to the United States (1787), aide-de-camp to Lafayette (1789–91), second secretary of the French legation (1791–92), and first secretary (1795–96). In 1800 he returned to settle in the United States and became naturalized. When his attempts in New York at a mercantile importing business (1802–05) and then a land development project (1806–09) both failed, he went south to manage his brother Irénée’s woolen mills in Wilmington, Del., but was largely ineffectual in this too. He was later a director of the Bank of the United States, Philadelphia. His son, Samuel Francis du Pont (1803–65), was a U.S. naval officer. He served in the Mexican War, was on the board that designed the curriculum for the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and commanded squadrons and fleets in the blockade of the South during the American Civil War, rising to the rank of rear admiral. A naval attack that he led on the defenses of Charleston, S.C., in 1863, however, met a crushing defeat, and he was relieved of command; he retired from active duty.
The other son of Pierre-Samuel, Eleuthère-Irénée du Pont (1771–1834), had worked at the French royal powder works before arriving in America in 1800. Impressed by the poor quality and high price of American powder, he made further studies and eventually in 1802 established a gunpowder plant near Wilmington, Del., that became highly profitable, especially during the War of 1812, and that marked the successful beginning of the E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (the name that he chose in 1833). He also established a woolen mill and pursued farming as an avocation. His immediate successors were two sons, Alfred Victor du Pont (1798–1856), who headed the company from 1834 to 1850 in a traditional manner, and Henry du Pont (1812–89), who proved more vigorously enterprising. Though a graduate of West Point (1833), Henry left the army a year later and joined the family business, heading the company during the great period from 1850 to 1889 and expanding its activities especially after the Civil War; he acquired powder works as far away as California and gained control of various associated enterprises. In the course of this time he was in partnership with other members of the family. One of his sons, Henry Algernon du Pont (1838–1926), was a graduate of West Point and a Medal of Honor winner in the Civil War; he entered the family business in 1878 and pushed for its incorporation in 1899. Retiring in 1902, he was U.S. senator from Delaware from 1906 to 1917. In 1902, three cousins—Thomas Coleman du Pont (1863–1930), Alfred Irénée du Pont (1864–1935), and Pierre Samuel du Pont (1870–1954)—became chief directors, assuring that direction of the corporation would remain in the family.
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