Francis Gurney du Pont | |
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| Born | (1850-05-27)May 27, 1850 |
| Died | November 7, 1904(1904-11-07) (aged 54) |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation(s) | Inventor, businessman |
| Spouse | Elise Wigfall Simons |
| Children | E. Paul du Pont |
| Father | Alexis Irénée du Pont |
Francis Gurney du Pont (May 27, 1850 – November 7, 1904[1]) was an American businessman and chemist who was a vice president ofE. I. du Pont de Nemours Company and inventedsmokeless gunpowder with the assistance of cousinPierre S. du Pont. A member of thedu Pont family, Francis had ten children, includingE. Paul du Pont, founder ofDu Pont Motors.
Francis du Pont was the youngest son ofAlexis Irénée du Pont and a grandson ofÉleuthère Irénée du Pont. Born inNew Castle County, Delaware, he received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from theUniversity of Pennsylvania in 1870.[2]
Joining the du Pont de Nemours Company as partner in 1873, Francis du Pont ran the Upper and Lower Hagley Yards and rose to become one of three vice presidents of the firm. In 1893, he and Pierre S. du Pont patented a solvent recovery process for the production of smokeless gunpowder. He ran the plant atCarney's Point, New Jersey, that made smokeless powder.[2]
On the death of his older brother and company presidentEugène du Pont in 1902, Francis du Pont wanted to sell the firm to competitorLaflin & Rand. He distrusted modern business practices that he feared the younger generation would implement at the firm. He lost control to the company to cousinsAlfred I. du Pont,T. Coleman du Pont, andPierre S. du Pont in 1902.[2]
In 1871, du Pont married Elise Wigfall Simons (1849–1919). The couple had ten children. He died in 1904 inWilmington, Delaware, at the age of 54.[2]
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