Copeland, Lammot du Pont, 1905-1983

Executive of chemical concern.

Lammot du Pont Copeland (1905-1983) was born in Christiana Hundred, Delaware, the son of Charles and Louisa d'Andelot du Pont Copeland. His mother was the sister of Pierre, Irenee, and Lammot du Pont, who were presidents of the Du Pont Company from 1919 to 1940. His father was secretary of the company during the 1920s and 1930s.

Copeland was graduated from Harvard University in 1928 with a degree in industrial chemistry. Joining the Du Pont Company in 1929, he served in plant management, general sales, market analysis, development and other areas before becoming secretary in 1947, vice president and chairman of the finance committee in 1954, and president from 1961-1971. He was also a director of the General Motors Corporation in the 1940s and 1950s.

The Belin family had been associated with the du Ponts ever since the early 19th century. Augustus Belin was one of the French planters who fled Haiti during the slave uprising of 1791. He settled in Wilmington and became the first Belin to work for the du Ponts. His son Henry Hedrick Belin was the Du Pont Company's bookkeeper during the early 19th century. Lammot du Pont married Mary Belin (Henry's daughter) on October 13, 1865. His son Pierre Samuel du Pont married Alice Belin (his first cousin) on October 21, 1915.