Francis Gurney du Pont
Encyclopedia
Francis Gurney du Pont was the creator of smokeless gunpowder and the youngest son of Alexis I. du Pont and the grandson of E. I. du Pont. Francis served as superintendent of the Upper and Lower Hagley Yards and later as general manager of Carney’s Point, New Jersey, in 1891. His invention was assisted by cousin Pierre S. du Pont
.
Joining the firm as partner in 1873, he became one of the three vice presidents. Even with the death of Eugene du Pont
in 1902, Francis declined the presidency of the firm due to ill health. He wanted to sell the company to competitor Laflin & Rand. A traditionalist, Frank mistrusted the modern business practices that he correctly believed the younger generation would implement at DuPont. He lost control to the company to Alfred I. du Pont
, T. Coleman du Pont
and Pierre S. du Pont
in 1902 with the formation of the E. I du Pont de Nemours Company
and died in 1904.
Pierre S. du Pont
Pierre Samuel du Pont was president of the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company from 1915 to 1919, and served on its Board of Directors until 1940...
.
Joining the firm as partner in 1873, he became one of the three vice presidents. Even with the death of Eugene du Pont
Eugene du Pont
Eugene du Pont was an American businessman who served as the first head of modern day DuPont. Son of Alexis Irénée du Pont and grandson of Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. Eugene graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and joined the business in 1861...
in 1902, Francis declined the presidency of the firm due to ill health. He wanted to sell the company to competitor Laflin & Rand. A traditionalist, Frank mistrusted the modern business practices that he correctly believed the younger generation would implement at DuPont. He lost control to the company to Alfred I. du Pont
Alfred I. du Pont
Alfred Irénée du Pont was an American industrialist, financier and philanthropist. A member of the influential Du Pont family, Alfred du Pont first rose to prominence through his work in his family's Delaware-based gunpowder manufacturing plant, E. I...
, T. Coleman du Pont
T. Coleman du Pont
Thomas Coleman du Pont was an American engineer and politician, from Greenville, Delaware. He was President of the of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, and a member of the Republican Party who served parts of two terms as United States Senator from Delaware...
and Pierre S. du Pont
Pierre S. du Pont
Pierre Samuel du Pont was president of the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company from 1915 to 1919, and served on its Board of Directors until 1940...
in 1902 with the formation of the E. I du Pont de Nemours Company
E. I du Pont de Nemours Company
E. I du Pont de Nemours Company was the holding company formed in the early 1900s by T. Coleman du Pont, Alfred I. du Pont and Pierre S. du Pont to save the family business from being bought out by a rival....
and died in 1904.