Du Pont family
Motto: "Rectitudine sto"
(Stand upright) |
|
| Ethnicity | French American |
|---|---|
| Current region | Delaware and Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Earlier spellings | Du Pont de Nemours |
| Place of origin | France |
| Members |
Sieur Éleuthère Irénée du Pont Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont John Eleuthère du Pont Gov. Pierre S. du Pont IV |
| Connected families | |
| Traditions |
Roman Catholics Reformed (see Huguenots) Episcopalians |
| Name origin and meaning | Du Pont, "Of the bridge" |
The Du Pont family is an American family descended from Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739–1817). Since the 19th century, the Du Pont family has been one of the richest families in America.
Many former Du Pont family estates have been opened to the public as museums, gardens, or parks, such as Nemours Mansion and Gardens, Longwood Gardens, and Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library. The family's first American estate, located at Hagley Museum and Library, has been designated a National Historic Landmark. In recent years, the family has continued to be known for its association with political and business ventures, as well as philanthropic efforts on behalf of various organizations such as The Jockey Club, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Delaware Art Museum, and the Grand Opera House.
Two family members were the subjects of well-publicized criminal cases. Heir John Eleuthère du Pont was convicted of murdering wrestling coach Dave Schultz in 1996 and heir Robert H. Richards IV was convicted of raping his 3-year-old daughter in 2009.
The family is depicted in the 2014 biographical film Foxcatcher with Steve Carell playing John Eleuthère du Pont and Vanessa Redgrave playing Jean du Pont, the wife of William du Pont, Jr.
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