Duke, James Buchanan, 1856-1925

Tobacco manufacturer, industrialist, and philanthropist, of Durham, N.C., and New York City.

From the description of Papers, 1764-1998 ; (bulk 1917-1928). (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 122561097

From the description of James Buchanan Duke papers, 1777-1990 (bulk 1890s-1930s). (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19536504

• 1856, Dec. 23: Born, Orange County, N.C.
• 1870s: Attended Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
• 1878: Full partner in newly incorporated W. Duke, Sons and Company
• ca. 1883: President, W. Duke, Sons and Company
• 1884: Moved to New York, N.Y. Negotiated contract with Bonsack Machine Company for use of cigarette manufacturing machine
• 1890: Organized The American Tobacco Company
• 1902, Sept. 27: Signed agreement with British tobacco manufacturers to form British-American Tobacco Company
• 1904, Sept.: Married Lillian McCreedy (divorced 1906)
• 1905: Established Southern Power Company with Benjamin N. Duke and George W. Watts
• 1907, July 23: Married Nanaline Holt Inman
• 1911, May: Dissolution of the American Tobacco Company ordered by the United States Supreme Court
• 1912, Nov. 22: Daughter, Doris Duke, born
• ca. 1915: Purchased hydroelectric power resources on Saguenay River, Quebec, Canada
• 1915 - 1919 : North Carolina North Carolina South Carolina South Carolina Began plans for a philanthropic trust to serve educational and other institutions in North Carolina and South Carolina
• 1917: Duke Farms Company, Somerville, N.J., incorporated
• ca. 1923: Duke-Price Power Company established
• 1924, Dec. 11: Signed indentures establishing The Duke Endowment and The Doris Duke Trust
• 1925, Oct. 10: Died, New York, N.Y.
• 1928, May 21: Final determination by State of New Jersey Court in the Matter of the Estate of James B. Duke, Deceased
• 1930: Remains removed to the Memorial Chapel of Duke University Chapel
• 1934, June 18: Estate of James B. Duke liquidated
• 1961: Widow, Nanaline H. Duke, died

From the guide to the James Buchanan Duke Papers, 1777-1990 and undated, (Duke University. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)