Hudson Maxim (1853-1927) was an inventor and chemist best known for his work in the development of smokeless gunpowder and military explosives. The papers consist primarily of Maxim's published and manuscript writings from the period between 1907 and 1926. The writings range in topics: Napoleon, the future of naval and aerial warfare, and social Darwinism and anti-immigration.

Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739-1817) was a French political economist, writer, publisher, and public administrator. The collection contains a letter he wrote to Fermier General and Administrateur des Postes, offering advice on the handling of employees by Monneron and a collection of essays published by du Pont de Nemours about art exhibits in the Louvre in Paris.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The collection contains an original letter and photocopies of letters regarding cost for Abraham Hart (1810-1885) publishing an essay by Henry Winter Davis (1817-1865) on the doctrine of intervention and non-intervention in diplomacy and international affairs.