Duke and Reynolds: Urban and Regional Development Through Business, Politics, and Philanthropy

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Dancy, B. (2016). Duke and Reynolds: Urban and Regional Development Through Business, Politics, and Philanthropy. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

The Industrial Revolution witnessed an increase in wealthy entrepreneurs who were also philanthropists. During this era, James Buchanan (Buck) Duke and Richard Joshua (R.J.) Reynolds led the tobacco production industry in North Carolina. These industrialists and their families became active agents in defining southern Progressivism and modern philanthropy during the twentieth century. Southern philanthropy differed from the North. Northern philanthropists donated their wealth at home and abroad, while southern philanthropists contributed to the social welfare of their communities and regions. In addition, politics in the South created a unique opportunity for these industrialists to become paternalistic leaders in their respective communities. Legal segregation in the South also limited the impact of the industrialists’ philanthropy. However, unlike some of their fellow southern industrialists, the Duke and Reynolds families contributed to African American causes. This study demonstrates the key role that the Duke and Reynolds families played in the development of their respective cities and the Piedmont region, as well as their role in improving social welfare. Examining these cities and the region through the intersection of business, politics, and philanthropy explains the relationship between company growth and urban development. The legacies of these families are evident today through their former companies, as well as universities and organizations they established.

Details
Author

Dancy, Brianna

Title

Duke and Reynolds: Urban and Regional Development Through Business, Politics, and Philanthropy

Physical Description

1 online resource (85 pages) : PDF

Date

2016

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

The Industrial Revolution witnessed an increase in wealthy entrepreneurs who were also philanthropists. During this era, James Buchanan (Buck) Duke and Richard Joshua (R.J.) Reynolds led the tobacco production industry in North Carolina. These industrialists and their families became active agents in defining southern Progressivism and modern philanthropy during the twentieth century. Southern philanthropy differed from the North. Northern philanthropists donated their wealth at home and abroad, while southern philanthropists contributed to the social welfare of their communities and regions. In addition, politics in the South created a unique opportunity for these industrialists to become paternalistic leaders in their respective communities. Legal segregation in the South also limited the impact of the industrialists’ philanthropy. However, unlike some of their fellow southern industrialists, the Duke and Reynolds families contributed to African American causes. This study demonstrates the key role that the Duke and Reynolds families played in the development of their respective cities and the Piedmont region, as well as their role in improving social welfare. Examining these cities and the region through the intersection of business, politics, and philanthropy explains the relationship between company growth and urban development. The legacies of these families are evident today through their former companies, as well as universities and organizations they established.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

History

Degree

M.A.

Keywords

Business
Duke
Philanthropy
Politics
Reynolds
Southern Progressivism

Subject Area

History

Advisor(s)

Shapiro, Aaron

Committee Members

McKinley, Shepherd
Wilson, Mark

Degree Note

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2016.

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Rights Holder Information

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Identifier

Dancy_uncc_0694N_11277

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:731