James Buchanan Duke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Buchanan Duke
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| Born | December 23, 1856 Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Died | October 10, 1925 (aged 68) New York City, U.S.
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| Resting place | Duke University |
| Net worth | US$140 million at the time of his death (approximately 1/652nd of US GNP) |
| Spouse(s) |
Lillian Fletcher McCredy
(m. 1904; div. 1906)Nanaline Holt Inman
(m. 1907) |
| Children | Doris Duke |
| Parent(s) | Washington Duke Artelia Roney |
| Relatives | Benjamin Newton Duke (brother) |
James Buchanan Duke (born December 23, 1856 – died October 10, 1925) was a very successful American businessman. He was famous for his work in the tobacco and electric power industries. He helped create modern ways to make and sell cigarettes. He is also well-known for his strong connection to Duke University.
Contents
Early Life of James Duke
James Buchanan Duke was born on December 23, 1856. His family lived near Durham, North Carolina. People often called him "Buck." His father, Washington Duke, was also a successful businessman and gave a lot to charity. James's mother was Artelia Roney Duke.
Building a Business Empire
James Duke's father, Washington, owned a tobacco company. In the 1880s, James and his brother, Benjamin, took over the family business.
Revolutionizing Cigarette Making
In 1885, James Duke got a special permit to use a new machine. This machine could make cigarettes automatically. This was a big change from making them by hand. By 1890, Duke's company was selling 40% of all cigarettes in America.
Creating the American Tobacco Company
James Duke then brought together his four biggest rivals. He formed one large company called the American Tobacco Company. This company became very powerful. It controlled over 90% of the American cigarette market.
Challenges and Changes
In 1911, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the American Tobacco Company was too big. The court ordered it to be broken up into several smaller companies. After this, Duke still had control of the British-American Tobacco Company.
James Duke's Family Life
James Duke was married two times. His first marriage was in 1904 to Lillian Fletcher McCredy. They divorced in 1906 and did not have any children.
His Daughter, Doris Duke
In 1907, James married Nanaline Holt Inman. They had one child together, a daughter named Doris Duke. Doris was born on November 22, 1912.
Doris grew up at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, New Jersey. Her father had worked with expert landscapers there. They turned over 2,000 acres of land into a beautiful estate. It had two large greenhouses, nine lakes, and many fountains. There were also miles of stone walls and roads.
Later Life and Legacy
James Duke passed away in New York City on October 10, 1925. He was buried with his father and brother at Duke University. For the last five years of his life, he lived at his home, Lynnewood, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Giving Back: The Duke Endowment
In December 1924, James Duke created The Duke Endowment. This was a large fund of $40 million. He wanted some of this money to go to Trinity College. Because of his generous gift, the college was renamed Duke University in honor of his father. The main library at Furman University is also named after him because of his support.
His Will and Donations
When James Duke died, he left about half of his huge fortune to The Duke Endowment. This added another $67 million to the fund. He wanted the money to help several universities, including Duke University, Davidson College, Furman University, and Johnson C. Smith University.
He also wanted the money to support non-profit hospitals and homes for children in North and South Carolina. A portion of the fund was also for rural United Methodist churches in North Carolina, and for retired pastors and their families.
Doris Duke's Inheritance
The rest of James Duke's money, about $100 million, went to his twelve-year-old daughter, Doris. This made her "the richest girl in the world" at the time. Doris later took control of the Duke Farms estate. She loved the farm because it reminded her of her father. She kept most of it the same, but she created beautiful display gardens in his honor. These gardens showed off her father's large sculpture collection and were open to the public for many years.
Images for kids
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Statue of James B. Duke in front of the West Campus Quad.
See also
In Spanish: James Buchanan Duke para niños
