Du Pont family facts for kids

Quick facts for kids du Pont family
Coat of arms of Samuel Francis Du Pont
Current region	Delaware and Pennsylvania in the United States
Earlier spellings	du Pont de Nemours du Pont
Etymology	du Pont, "Of the bridge"
Place of origin	French American Community — France, United States
Connected families	Astor family Molson family Roosevelt family
Motto	Rectitudine sto (Latin for 'Stand upright')
Estate(s)	Eleutherian Mills (Wilmington) Nemours (Wilmington) Winterthur Mansion and Gardens (Winterthur)

The du Pont family is a very famous and wealthy family in the United States. They came from France and settled in the U.S. states of Delaware and Pennsylvania. The family's story began with Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739–1817), who was a French nobleman.

The du Ponts became one of America's richest families starting in the mid-1800s. They first made their money in the gunpowder business. Later, they grew their wealth in the chemical industry and the automotive industry. They had major interests in the DuPont company, General Motors, and many other businesses.

Today, several former du Pont family homes and gardens are open to the public. These include Winterthur, Nemours, Eleutherian Mills, and Longwood Gardens. The family has always loved plants and gardening, a passion they brought from France. Because of their efforts, the area around Wilmington, Delaware, became a major center for horticulture (the art of garden cultivation) in the United States.

The family's first American home, Eleutherian Mills, is now part of the Hagley Museum and Library. It was saved and restored by Louise E. du Pont Crowninshield. She also helped create the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1949. In recent years, the family has continued to be known for its involvement in politics, business, and helping others through charity. As of 2016, the family's wealth was estimated at $14.3 billion, shared among more than 3,500 living relatives.

Family History and Growth

Éleuthère Irénée du Pont, who started the du Pont business.

The du Pont family's journey to America began with Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours. He was the son of a watchmaker in Paris, France. In 1800, he and his sons, Victor Marie du Pont and Éleuthère Irénée du Pont, moved from France to the United States.

His son, Éleuthère Irénée du Pont, started a gunpowder company in 1802. This company was named E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. He built his gunpowder mill on the banks of the Brandywine River near Wilmington, Delaware. This spot, called Eleutherian Mills, was perfect for the mill. It had enough water to power the machinery, trees for charcoal (a gunpowder ingredient), and was close to the Delaware River for shipping other materials like sulfur and saltpeter.

Over time, the Du Pont company became the largest black powder (gunpowder) maker in the world. The family kept control of the company until the 1960s. Even today, family trusts still own a lot of the company's stock. At its busiest, the Du Pont company and other family businesses employed up to 10% of Delaware's population. In the 1800s, the Du Pont family often arranged marriages between family members to keep their wealth strong.

The family also played a big role in politics. They helped with important agreements like the Treaty of Paris and the Louisiana Purchase. Some family members, like T. Coleman and Henry A. du Pont, even served as U.S. senators. Pierre S. du Pont, IV was once the Governor of Delaware.

The du Pont family has been very active in saving historic places and protecting land. They helped start the National Trust for Historic Preservation. They also helped save President James Madison's home, Montpelier. They created many museums, such as Winterthur and the Delaware Museum of Natural History. The Brandywine Conservancy, started by George Alexis Weymouth, owns thousands of acres of land in Pennsylvania and Delaware. In 2013, Lammot du Pont Copeland's Mt. Cuba Center helped buy land to create the First State National Historical Park.

Many du Pont family members, including William du Pont, Jr. and Marion duPont Scott, have been involved in breeding and racing thoroughbred horses. They also built race tracks like Delaware Park. Most Du Ponts are members of the Episcopal Church.

Selected Family Members

Below is an alphabetical list of some important members of the du Pont family.

Family Tree

This family tree shows how members of the du Pont family are related to each other throughout history. It is not a complete list of everyone in the family.

Family Connections

People They Worked With

Here is a list of people who were closely connected to or worked with the du Pont family.

Businesses They Owned or Invested In

This is a list of businesses where the du Pont family had a major ownership or interest.

Charity and Non-Profit Groups

The du Pont family has supported many charities and non-profit organizations.

Buildings, Estates, and Landmarks

Many buildings, large estates, and historic landmarks are connected to the du Pont family.