James B. Duke Spirit of Genius

DUKEENDOWMENT.ORG JAMES B. DUKE SPIRIT OF GENIUS. LEGACY OF HOPE.

“It will be seen that Based in Charlotte and established in I have endeavored 1924 by James B. Duke, The Duke Endowment is a private foundation to make provision that strengthens communities in North in some measure for Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing the needs of mankind children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits. along physical, mental and spiritual lines…” James B. Duke Indenture of Trust, 1924 THE LIFE OF A VISIONARY

1864 James Duke’s father, 1881 Washington Duke, joins the 1856 Confederate Army and reports 1872 Washington, James and James Buchanan Duke for duty in Charleston. James’ James is sent to New Garden Ben form the tobacco is born on December 23 teenage brother, Brodie, serves school, where his brother Ben enterprise W. Duke Sons and to Washington and Artelia with Major Gee at a Confederate has been studying. Homesick Company, which gambled Roney Duke at the Duke prison at Salisbury, N.C. With for his life on the farm, he on a cigarette-producing Homestead, a farm near no mother to raise them, James returns home before the machine, an investment that Durham, North Carolina, and his other siblings, Ben and semester ends. He would later quickly made the company which is now a well- Mary, are sent to live with their attend the Eastman Business the largest manufacturer preserved historic site. maternal grandparents. College in Poughkeepsie, NY. in the nation.

1850 1860 1870 1880

1858 1865 1874 1884 James is two years old Nine-year old James, also Washington sells the family At 28, James emerges as when his brother, Sydney, called “Buck,” and his farm and moves in hopes the president of what would and his mother, Artelia brother Ben help their father of expanding his tobacco become the American Duke, die from typhoid start a tobacco business business. Washington builds Tobacco Company. Within fever. Washington is left at their Orange County a new tobacco factory on a decade, the company to raise Brodie, James, (now Durham) farm. The Durham’s Main Street, which would be a multinational Ben and Mary on three begin manufacturing was also home to Blackwell corporation controlling his own. their own brand of smoking and Company, producers of various components of tobacco called “Pro Bono the popular “Bull Durham” tobacco production, until Publico” and the business tobacco brand. 1911, when the U.S. Supreme grows quickly from 15,000 Court ordered its dissolution lbs. of tobacco manufactured within the prohibitions of the in 1866 to 125,000 lbs. in Sherman Antitrust Act. 1872. 1924 James Duke signs the Indenture of Trust on 1905 1912 December 11 establishing Construction begins on Great Doris Duke is born, the only The Duke Endowment Falls power plant, located on child of James and Nanaline with a $40 million gift. the Catawba River in South Duke. After inheriting the bulk The private foundation Carolina. James’ primary focus of her father’s estate in supports vulnerable 1890 is selling power to the textile 1925, Doris followed in his children, higher education, James and Ben work industry to create employment philanthropic footsteps, rural churches and health together in business opportunities and reduce actively supporting several care in the Carolinas. On and in philanthropy and poverty in the Carolinas. public causes including the that same day, Trinity welcome their sister, Growing demand for residential arts, historic preservation and College becomes Duke Mary Duke Lyon, as service led to a new division at the environment, as well as University, named in honor an early partner in the Southern Power, which would be establishing the Doris Duke of Washington Duke and family endeavors. renamed Duke Power in 1924. Charitable Foundation. his family.

1890 1900 1910 1920

1892 1907 1919 1925 The Duke family ventures James marries his James purchases a James Buchanan Duke expand to the textile second wife, Nanaline Charlotte home, now dies of pernicious anemia business, with financing of Holt Inman, from known as the Duke on October 10. He was the Erwin Cotton Mill. As Macon, Georgia. Mansion, near other 68 years old. their textile interests develop, executives of his power In his will, he leaves an the need for economical company. Nanaline Duke additional $67 million power leads the Dukes into prefers life in New York to The Duke Endowment, the hydroelectric generating City, which leads the family creating a legacy of business. to split their time between hope that lives today. Charlotte and their New York home. CHILD & FAMILY WELL-BEING HEALTH CARE As a child, James B. Duke suffered the loss of his mother James B. Duke was profoundly affected by the illness of and then lived with his grandparents while his father others. As a young child, he lost his mother and older was sent off to war. His compassion for children without brother, Sydney, to typhoid fever. As a philanthropist, he supportive families helped shape his vision for a better sought to educate physicians and support health care in world and became an important part of his legacy. the Carolinas.

HIGHER EDUCATION RURAL CHURCH James B. Duke’s formal education was intermittent, but Our founder attributed his success to the early he admired and respected the contributions of teachers, guidance of his father and his church. He saw country preachers, lawyers and physicians. He believed educating preachers as heroes who sacrificed material gain and principled people in these fields would generate individual chose to support them and their churches through contributions that would, in turn, benefit society. his philanthropy.

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