Richard C. du Pont miscellany
Creation: 1932-1997Abstract
This collection includes materials related to Richard C. du Pont (1911-1943), pioneer in early aircraft and gliders and includes news clippings, official governmental documents related to his work as well as the logbook of his yacht, Nahma.
Dates
- Creation: 1932-1997
Creator
Extent
0.41 Linear Feet
Biographical Note
Richard C. du Pont (1911-1943) was an early pioneer in flight, particularly glider planes. Born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, du Pont founded All American Aviation, which later became US Airways, in 1939. Prior to his work with All American, du Pont created to Bowlus-du Pont Sailplane Company in San Fernando, California. With that company, du Pont won many record flights in his glider planes. As the company president at All American, du Pont worked on production of top of the line glider planes as well as an air mail pick up system. After the outbreak of World War II, the United States government asked du Pont to serve as an advisor to their glider program. He was killed in a 1943 glider accident in California.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content
Richard C. du Pont miscellany contains items both related to du Pont’s career in aeronautics, but also his sailing vessel, Nahma. Included is the official log book of the boat, describing a voyage from Essington, Pennsylvania in February of 1932. Other items in the collection relate to du Pont’s career, which eventually cost the young pilot his life. Included are reports from the Franklin Institute on the Respess Airship and the Air Mail and Glider Pick-Up and Delivery System. A scrapbook, likely kept by du Pont’s widow, Allaire, further details his distinguished career in flight through newspaper clippings, official government reports, secrecy orders, and correspondence. Also included in the scrapbook are articles and clippings related to du Pont’s death in 1943 at March Field in Riverside County, California.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Additional Description
Provenance
Gift of Caroline Prickett and Lana Wright, May 2009.
Separated Material
Richard C. du Pont and Summit Aviation scrapbooks and photographs (Accession 2009.211), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- Richard C. du Pont Miscellany
- Author:
- Andrew D. Engel
- Date:
- 2013
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
- Language of description note:
- English
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
