Eleuthère Irénée du Pont papers
1782-1838Abstract
This collection primarily consists of E.I. du Pont's personal and business correspondence; writings and notes; school materials; memoranda on manufactures and tariffs; legal agreements; patents; and land surveys. Also included are Sophie (Dalmas) du Pont's correspondence and household account records.
Dates
- 1782-1838
Creator
- Du Pont, Eleuthère Irénée, 1771-1834 (Person)
Extent
1.7 Linear Feet
Biographical Note
Eleuthère Irénée du Pont (1771-1834), the son of Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739-1817), was born in Paris on June 24, 1771. In 1787, he was accepted as a student in the Regis des Poudres, a government agency for the manufacture of gunpowder which was directed by Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794). In 1800 Eleuthère Irénée du Pont emigrated to the United States and began investigating sites for a black powder manufactory. After consulting with Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) he established E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. on the bank of the Brandywine River, just north of Wilmington, Delaware. In the spring of 1803 he settled his family at Eleutherian Mills and wrote to Jefferson seeking government patronage for his new powder factory. During the 1810s du Pont was active in the Society of the State of Delaware for the Promotion of American Manufacturers, where he lobbied Congress for high tariffs. In 1822 he was named a director of the Bank of the United States. Eleuthère Irénée du Pont died in Philadelphia on October 31, 1834.
Scope and Content
This collection primarily consists of E.I. du Pont's personal and business correspondence; writings and notes; school materials; memoranda on manufactures and tariffs; legal agreements; patents; and land surveys. Also included are papers concerning the South Brandywine Rangers, a militia unit during the War of 1812.
Sophie Dalmas du Pont's papers consist primarily of correspondence with E.I. du Pont. Also included are three household account ledgers.
Language of Materials
English
Additional Information
Additional Description
Provenance
Gift of Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954)
The main body of E.I. du Pont's papers descended through Henry Algernon du Pont to Henry Francis du Pont.
Subjects
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- Eleuthère Irénée du Pont papers
- Status:
- Author:
- John Beverley Riggs
- Date:
- 1961
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
