Henry Algernon du Pont Papers
Date: 1848-1926
Collection Abstract: Henry Algernon du Pont, son of Henry and Louisa Gerhard du Pont, was born on July 30, 1838 at Eleutherian Mills, near Wilmington, Del. After attending the University of Pennsylvania from 1855-1856, he enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. and graduated at the head of his class in 1861. By 1864, du Pont was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army. He won a Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts at the Battle of Cedar Creek during the Civil War. From 1906-1917, H.A. du Pont was a U.S. Senator. Du Pont was a staunch Republican and served on many committees in Washington. He was the author of several military reminiscences and was the family’s historian. He was also a farmer and had one of the most valuable private Holstein herds in the United States. Du Pont resided on an estate named Winterthur, located near Wilmington, Del.
On July 15, 1874, du Pont married Mary Pauline Foster of New York City. Only two of their children survived into adulthood, Henry Francis du Pont and Louise du Pont Crowninshield. Upon H.A. du Pont's death on Dec. 31, 1926, his son inherited the Winterthur estate.
Collection consists of correspondence, bills, manuscripts, cartographic and pictorial items, and social materials dealing with politics, society, corporations, and the Winterthur estate. Much of the correspondence is corporate in nature; it relates to various financial interests, including local railroad companies.
Collection Size: 53 linear feet
Access: The collection is on deposit at the Hagley Library from the Winterthur Archives. A finding aid with a detailed description about the contents of this collection is available online.
Accession number: Winterthur Loan, Arc. 12
Contact: Ask Hagley or 302-658-2400 ext 330 for more information
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