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Davin Fronda

Mr. Macdevitt

Projects Fundamentals

13 November 2017

Biography of Eleuthere

Eleuthere Irenee DuPont, born on June 24, 1771, was a chemist based on primarily

gunpowder. He grew up in Paris and was once known as nobility for most of his time there. As a

kid he was never interested in academics but was always a fan of explosives. He gained his own

independent research till he was about 14 years old. Then at that age he entered the Royal

College to become an apprentice to a very known chemist at the time, Antoine-Laurent

Lavoisier. After his studies there, he soon left to help his father at his publishing house. Around

the same time, DuPont met Sophie Madeleine Dalmas and instantly feel for her. 4 years later at

the age of 20, they got married and lived to have 8 children.

DuPont and his family were all mostly supported the French Revolution. In 1792 as the

revolution was still about, the family found themselves defending the royalty against a very

unhappy mob. They did successfully save the king, although during that time they made a very

bad name of themselves. The family has been being attacked in multiple ways for roughly 3-5

years during the Revolution. 2 years after DuPont and Sophie sailed to the U.S. to find safety for

the family.

DuPont and Sophie landed on Rhode Island on January 1, 1800, while the rest of the

family landed in Delaware. While DuPont was hunting with his friend, they began to discuss the

use of gunpowder in the U.S. The discussion lead the DuPont and his brother Victor traveling
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back to France to enhance their studies to start a gunpowder business. With the financial support,

machinery, and initial plans of business, DuPont established the E. I. du Pont Nemours and Co.

near Wilmington, Delaware.

DuPonts effort of his business lead him to a massive industry. In 1811, the business

grew to the largest manufacturer of gunpowder in the United States. With the huge success,

DuPont decided to divide his business into multiple new industries. Such as adding a woolen

mill, a cotton mill, and a tannery. With all additions to the industry, it all helped it become more

successful. During the war in 1812, the business has gained a big boost on income due to the

massive amount of gunpowder provided. Although there have been some financial struggles as

well as some business struggles sometimes. There even have been some major accidents at the

industry, but the business still stands strong against all downfalls it had all.

DuPont served as president for his business for 32 successful years. His wife Sophie died

in 1828, which almost put DuPont in a bad state. 6 years later DuPont dies on October 31, 1834

from heart failure. His business still runs to this day by his descendants, and it is currently on the

rise becoming the second largest chemical company in the world.

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Works Cited

Eleuthere Irenee Du Pont. Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 28 Apr. 2017,

www.biography.com/people/eleuthere-irenee-du-pont-9281759.

Bassett, David A. FRENCH-AMERICAN INDUSTRIALIST . Chemistry Explained,

Advameg, Inc, www.chemistryexplained.com/Di-Fa/du-Pont-leuth-re-Ir-n-e.html.

Eleuthere Irenee Du Pont. Eleuthere Irenee Du Pont - New World Encyclopedia,

www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Eleuthere_Irenee_du_Pont.