 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (May 2022) |
Washington Duke | |
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| Born | Washington Duke December 18, 1820 |
| Died | May 8, 1905 (aged 84) Durham, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Farmer, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Namesake of Duke University Founder of the tobacco manufacturer W. Duke, Sons & Co. |
| Spouses | Mary Caroline Clinton
(1842–1847)Artelia Roney
(1852–1858) |
| Children | Five, including Benjamin, James and Brodie |
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Washington Duke (December 18, 1820 – May 8, 1905) was an American tobacco industrialist and philanthropist. During the American Civil War he enlisted in the Confederate States Navy. In 1865, Duke founded the W. Duke, Sons & Co., a tobacco manufacturer that would be merged with other companies to form conglomerate American Tobacco Company in 1890.