Inventory of the Doris Duke Memorabilia Collection, 1898-2011 and undated
Doris Duke was the only child of James Buchanan (J.B.) Duke, a founder of the American Tobacco Company and Duke Energy Company and a benefactor of Duke University, and Nanaline Holt Duke. Inheriting a bulk of her father's estate in 1925, which included Duke Farms in New Jersey, Rough Point in Newport, R.I., and a mansion in New York City, Doris was soon dubbed by the press as "the richest girl in the world." Although Doris did her best to live a private life, she carried on the Duke family's pattern of philanthropy by contributing to a number of public causes such as the arts, historic preservation, and the environment. Doris Duke died in October 1993 at the age of 80. In her will she left the majority of her estate to the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
The Doris Duke Memorabilia Collection contains personal artifacts belonging to Doris Duke. The artifacts widely vary, yet tend to reflect what was important to Miss Duke including travel, philanthropy, growing orchids, and music. Of particular interest are those items from Doris Duke's childhood including scrapbooks, yearbooks, and homework assignments.
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Duke, Doris, 1912-1993
- Title
- Doris Duke Memorabilia Collection, 1898-2011 and undated
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 28 Linear Feet, 2,400 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
The Doris Duke Memorabilia Collection is part of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Historical Archives which were donated to the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The collection is artificial in nature, created by combining personal artifacts belonging to Doris Duke. The artifacts widely vary, yet tend to reflect what was important to Miss Duke including travel, philanthropy, growing orchids, and music. Of particular interest are those items from Doris Duke's childhood including scrapbooks, yearbooks, and homework assignments.
The Doris Duke Memorabilia Collection covers the period 1898 to 2011 and is divided into 5 series: Awards and Tributes, Indentification and Membership Cards, Invitations, Miscellaneous, and Postcards. The materials are loosely arranged in chronological order.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research, however there are restrictions on certain materials within the collection. See Series level descriptions for more information.
Collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all of this collection is housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
This series contains an assortment of materials related to the broad and varied personal activities of Doris Duke including growing and showing orchids, farming, and philanthropy.
Booklet, "Unveiling Washington Duke Memorial Statue" in Trinity Park, Durham, NC, 10 Jun 1908
Box 1
Folder 1
Booklet, Trinity Alumni Register. Special announcement in respect for the death of Angier Buchanan Duke, class of 1905, 1923 Oct
Box 1
Folder 2
In Memoriam of James Buchanan Duke from The American Tobacco Company, 1925
Box 1
Folder 3
In Memoriam of James Buchanan Duke from Piedmont and Northern Railway Company, 1926
Box 1
Folder 4
Time Magazine with Nanaline Duke on the cover, 27 Apr 1927
Box 1
Folder 5
Awards from the Horticultural Society of New York given to Duke Farms for various orchids, 1939-1944
Box 1
Folder 6
Certificate, orchids, International Flower Show, 1969
Box 1
Folder 7
In Memoriam of Nanaline Holt Duke from The Duke Endowment, 1962 Apr 24
Box 1
Folder 8
Memorial Book to Doris Duke in memory of Nanaline Duke from Duke University. Includes photographs and correspondence, 1968
Box 1
Folder 9
Medal awarded to Doris Duke for "Distinguished Service in the Field of Historic Preservation" from the Preservation Society of Newport County, 1970
Box 1
Folder 10
Proclamation declaring December 4, 1987 Doris Duke Day in Newport, RI, 1987 Dec
Box 1
Folder 11
Awards from Dairylea Cooperative, Inc. to Duke Farms for production of high quality milk, 1989-1997 (1 of 2)
Box 2
Folder 1
Awards from Dairylea Cooperative, Inc. to Duke Farms for production of high quality milk, 1989-1997 (2 of 2)
Box 2
Folder 2
Mass card, Doris Duke, 1993
Box 2
Folder 3
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition presented to Doris Duke (posthumously), 19 May 2007
Box 2
Folder 4
Appointment as member of the New Jersey Board of Control of Institutions and Agencies, 8 Jun 1938
Oversize Box 3
PETA Humanitarian Award, 1993 Jan 19
Oversize Box 3
Hillsborough Twp. Vol. Fire Co. #2 for Truck Fund, 1967
Box 4
Variety of plaques honoring Doris Duke. Includes 100,000 Mile Club, WBNX Radio (recognition for diffusion of Gospel Music), Davison College, Somerset County 4-H Club, The Hillsborough Dukes (football), 1975,1980 and undated
Oversize Box 5
Variety of plaques honoring Doris Duke. Includes Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Trail Blazers, C.J.D.H.I.A. (for milk and fat production) 1968, 1989-1991 and undated
Oversize Box 6
First, Second and Third place ribbons for orchids at a variety of flower shows including North Jersey Orchid Society, SEPOS, Greater NY Orchid Show and South Jersey Orchid Show, 1991-1995
Box 7
Framed photograph of New Lemur Baby, Primate Center, Duke University, 1994. Given to Doris Duke in recognition of her donation.
Oversize Box 30
Folder 1
Certificate of Appreciation from the Humane Society of the United States to the Doris Duke Foundation, 1972 Nov
Oversize Box 30
Folder 2
Fortieth Anniversary Commendation plaque to Doris Duke from the Duke Endowment, 1964
Oversize Box 31
Copies (2) of Doris Duke's birth certificate, issued December 11, 1933 and August 26, 1943
Box 2
Folder 5
Checkbook, Guaranty Trust Company of New York, monogrammed with Doris Duke's initials, 1937
Box 2
Folder 6
Doris Duke's United Seaman's Service identification card, circa 1944
Box 2
Folder 7
Doris Duke's INS U.S. War Correspondent patches, 1944-1946
Box 2
Folder 8
Nazi SS patches. Found with Doris Duke's INS patches, 1944-1946
Box 2
Folder 9
Patches from Doris Duke's United Seaman's Service uniform, 1944-1946
Box 2
Folder 10
United Seaman's Service patch, 1944-1946
Box 2
Folder 11
Identification card, Senora Doris Duke de Rubirosa, Argentina, 1948
Box 2
Folder 12
Membership card, Mme Rubirosa Doris, Paris France, 1948
Box 2
Folder 13
Press Pass created for Doris Duke when she was on staff at the Rome Daily American Newspaper, 1954
Box 2
Folder 14
Driver's license issued to Doris Duke from the State of Hawaii, 1976
Box 2
Folder 15
Credit cards issued to Doris Duke, undated
Box 2
Folder 16
This series contains an assortment of invitations to a variety of events. Also includes invitations to openings of exhibits featuring Doris Duke or her collections.
Invitation to the wedding of Miss Rita Hayworth and Prince Aly Khan, 1949
Box 8
Folder 1
Invitation to the graduation ceremony at the Oxford Academy, Pleasantville, NJ. This was Walker P. Inman, Jr.'s graduation, 1968 Jun 20
Box 8
Folder 2
Invitation to ceremony which presented a National Historic Landmark Certificate to "The Duke Homestead" in Durham, North Carolina. Includes application to join the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1968
Box 8
Folder 3
Exhibit catalog of the Julia Ward Howe and Hendrik Christian Anderson exhibition at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, Newport, RI, 1969
Box 8
Folder 4
Invitation to Miss Duke from President and Mrs. Nixon at the White House, 1973
Box 8
Folder 5
Program, The White House dinner in honor of Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore and Mrs. Lee Kuan Yew, 1973
Box 8
Folder 6
Presidential invitation from President and Mrs. Ford to Miss Duke for dinner, 1976
Box 8
Folder 7
Invitation to The Duke Ellington Memorial Fund dinner dance and cabaret starring Tony Bennett at the Rainbow Room, 1988 Oct 24
Box 8
Folder 8
Invitation to the dedication of the J. Carter Brown galleries at Rough Point, 2003
Box 8
Folder 9
Rack card, Jewelry exhibit, 2003
Box 8
Folder 10
Invitation and fact sheet relating to exhibit at Verdura of pieces of Doris Duke's jewelry and pieces from the Verdura Museum Collection, 2004 Feb
Box 8
Folder 11
Exhibit announcement for Newport Restoration Foundation's "From Jet Set to Jeans", 2005
Box 8
Folder 12
Invitation to opening of exhibit "Jet Set to Jeans", 2005 Jun 17
Box 8
Folder 13
Magazine "Jet Set to Jeans" copyright Newport Restoration Foundation, 2005
Box 8
Folder 14
Invitation, opening of "After the Gilded Age: The Well Dressed House in Newport", 2006
Box 8
Folder 15
Exhibit catalog, "The Look! Doris Duke's Day to Evening Wear 2007", 2007
Box 8
Folder 16
Invitation, opening of exhibit, "The Look! Doris Duke's Day to Evening Wear", 2007
Box 8
Folder 17
Brochure, "Rough Point: The Newport Home of Doris Duke", 2008
Box 8
Folder 18
Invitation to exhibit opening, "Zoo in the House: Animals in the Doris Duke Art Collection", 2008
Box 8
Folder 19
Rack card, "Zoo in the House: Animals in the Doris Duke Art Collection", 2008
Box 8
Folder 20
Pamphlet, Prescott Farm and the Samuel Whitehorne House, undated
Box 8
Folder 21
Seating card, Table 1, White House Event, undated
Box 8
Folder 22
Panels and banner from exhibit "Philanthropist, Environmentalist, Collector: Doris Duke and Her Estates" in the Duke University Perkins Gallery, 2011 (1 of 2)
Box 32
Panels and banner from exhibit "Philanthropist, Environmentalist, Collector: Doris Duke and Her Estates" in the Duke University Perkins Gallery, 2011 (2 of 2)
Box 33
This series materials that did not fit into the other series. It contains a wide assortment of materials covering a wide range of topics including appointment books, scrapbooks, music composition books, newspaper clippings, and portraits of Doris Duke. Of particular interest are the caricatures by Vincenzo Zito for Doris Duke Cromwell's 26th birthday party.
RESTRICTED: Access to folder 1 in Box 10 is restricted and requires prior written approval from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to view.
Notebook, "Masonry Work J.B. Duke's Farm" by J.L. Greenleaf, landscape architect and engineer, 1898
Box 8
Folder 23
Booklet, "Views of Newport R.I., circa 1906
Box 8
Folder 24
Book, "From Wishing Land", by Robert Louis Stevenson, 1913
Box 8
Folder 25
Scrapbook of Hollywood screen stars and other celebrities, circa 1920s
Box 8
Folder 26
Photocopy of Alletta Morris Macbean's childhood diary. Original is at the Preservation Society, RI. Doris Duke and Alletta Morris were friends, 1924-1925
Box 8
Folder 27
List of jazz songs and movie titles handwritten by Doris Duke, 1926
Box 8
Folder 28
Songsheet to "There's a New Star in Heaven To-Night Rudolph Valentino", 1927
Box 8
Folder 29
Notebook belonging to Doris Duke, circa 1920s
Box 8
Folder 30
Appointment card/reminder card for meetings with Doris Duke, circa 1930s
Box 8
Folder 31
Newspaper article about Duke Kahanamoku, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1937 Jan 23
Box 8
Folder 32
Programs from the Gala Opening Night Performance of the Martha Graham Dance Company's 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Season, 1986 May 27
Box 8
Folder 34
Program, Newport Jazz Festival, 1964 Jul 2-5
Box 8
Folder 35
Calling card for Mrs. James Buchanan Duke, One Thousand and Nine Fifth Avenue, circa 1910s
Box 8
Folder 36
Advertisement, Joe Castro Trio, Clover Records, circa 1950s
Box 9
Folder 1
Jewelry sketches by Sterle, Rene Boiven, and David Webb to add pieces to Doris Duke's jewelry collection, circa 1957
Box 9
Folder 2
Daily planner, A.F. Brown. Details Doris Duke's travel between her homes and around the world. Also shows the dates when Board of Trustees meetings were held for her various foundations, 1963
Box 9
Folder 3
Daily planner, A.F. Brown. Details Doris Duke's travel between her homes and around the world. Also shows the dates when Board of Trustees meetings were held for her various foundations, 1964
Box 9
Folder 4
Daily planner, A.F. Brown. Details Doris Duke's travel between her homes and around the world. Also shows the dates when Board of Trustees meetings were held for her various foundations, 1965
Box 9
Folder 5
Daily planner, A.F. Brown. Details Doris Duke's travel between her homes and around the world. Also shows the dates when Board of Trustees meetings were held for her various foundations, 1969
Box 9
Folder 6
Booklet, Newport Restoration Foundation homes, issued by NRF, 1977
Box 9
Folder 7
Photocopy of prayer kept under Guaryin in Palm Room, by Doris Duke, [circa late 1980s]
Box 9
Folder 8
Vaccination records for Doris Duke's trips to India and Thailand, 1982, 1987
Box 9
Folder 9
Poster for exhibition at the Palladium created by the Guerilla Girls, 1985 Oct 17
Box 9
Folder 10
Address book of Chandi Heffner, circa 1986
Box 10
Folder 1
Playbill from "Phantom of the Opera", 1986
Box 10
Folder 2
Music composition by Doris Duke, 1986-1988
Box 10
Folder 3
Postcards, pamphlets and photocopies relating to J.B. Duke's "The Doris" railway car, 1992
Box 10
Folder 4
Duke Farms Security Patch "Surfing Cow", circa 1990s
Box 10
Folder 5
Music composition by Doris Duke, circa 1990s
Box 10
Folder 6
Music composition by Doris Duke, undated
Box 10
Folder 7
Music composition book from Falcon Lair, undated
Box 10
Folder 8
Music writing book with lyrics and music written in Miss Duke's hand, undated
Box 10
Folder 9
Newspaper clippings related to Doris Duke, undated
Box 10
Folder 10
Notebook containing a variety of handwritten notes and lists in Doris Duke's handwriting, undated
Box 10
Folder 11
Notepad, handwritten notes by Miss Duke on antiquing, undated
Box 10
Folder 12
Poem, "Shangri La" by K.B., undated
Box 10
Folder 13
Stamps of various San Francisco sites, undated
Box 10
Folder 14
Story or script, "The Great Burning" (synopsis) by Rosanna Seaborn and Joseph Schull, undated
Box 10
Folder 15
Travel Guides presumably from Doris Duke's travel, undated
Box 10
Folder 16
Magazines with articles either about Doris Duke or her estates. Magazines include Country Life (1919 Apr), Life (1939 Mar), National Geographic (1954 May), House and Garden (1965 Jan), Vogue (1966 Nov), Architectural Digest (1976 Jul/Aug, 1977 Mar, 1994 Apr), and Gardens Architectural Digest (1983)
Oversize Box 11
Memorabilia from Doris Duke's childhood. Includes three Brearley yearbooks, four composition books, and three grading books, 1922-1927
Oversize Box 12
Scrapbook put together by Doris Duke which includes newspaper articles about J.B. Duke, his death, and other clippings about Doris Duke, 1925-1930s
Oversize Box 13
Wood cutout of Doris Duke and Nanaline Duke, 1925-1927
Oversize Box 14
Various newspaper clippings on Doris Duke, 1933-1947
Oversize Box 14
Line drawing of Rollston Allweather Cabriolet on Packard for DDC, circa 1935-1940
Oversize Box 14
Doris Duke portrait (watercolor), 1936
Oversize Box 14
Small painting, Miss Duke, headshot with Indian earrings, circa 1944
Oversize Box 14
Ad for Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, featuring Angier Duke, 1949
Oversize Box 14
Framed poem, "Ideals" by James Allen, undated
Oversize Box 14
Ink and watercolor scenes of Paris, France. Artist unknown, undated
Oversize Box 14
Plate depicting bridge at Rough Point, undated
Oversize Box 14
Silhouette of Doris Duke as a child, undated
Oversize Box 14
Pencil drawing of Doris Duke, 1926 May 21
Oversize Box 15
Folder 1
Plates 1181a and 1219 from Survey of Persian Art, undated
Oversize Box 15
Folder 2
Watercolor sign for sale of orchids at Duke Farms, undated
Oversize Box 15
Folder 3
Newspapers regarding the death of Rudolph Valentino, 1926 (1 of 4)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 1
Newspapers regarding the death of Rudolph Valentino, 1926 (2 of 4)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 2
Newspapers regarding the death of Rudolph Valentino, 1926 (3 of 4)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 3
Newspapers regarding the death of Rudolph Valentino, 1926 (4 of 4)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 4
Magazine articles and picture cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (1 of 8)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 5
Magazine articles and picture cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (2 of 8)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 6
Magazine articles and picture cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (3 of 8)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 7
Magazine articles and picture cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (4 of 8)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 8
Magazine articles and picture cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (5 of 8)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 9
Magazine articles and picture cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (6 of 8)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 10
Magazine articles and picture cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (7 of 8)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 11
Magazine articles and picture cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (8 of 8)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 12
Cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (1 of 4)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 13
Cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (2 of 4)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 14
Cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (3 of 4)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 15
Cutouts of Hollywood film stars, circa 1920s (4 of 4)
Oversize Box 16
Folder 16
Entertaining Book, 1936-1940
Oversize Box 17
Constitution By-laws of Spouting Rock Beach Association, 1960
Oversize Box 17
Outfits worn by Doris Duke, 1977-1978
Oversize Box 17
Glass ornament from the Boy Scouts, 1984
Oversize Box 17
Dining seating arrangement board with names of dinner guests and where they were to sit, undated
Oversize Box 17
Duke Farms Employee's Liability Act Notice, 1911
Oversize Box 17
Book, "Collection of Birds at Duke Farms". Includes illustrations, 1938
Box 18
Oil painting, scene of several people in boat crossing a river, undated
Ovsz. Folder 1
Framed portrait of Doris Duke by JA Cherry, undated
Portrait 1
This subseries contains carictures by Vincenzo Zito for Doris Duke Cromwell's 26th birthday. Below are the names of the guests that presumably attended the party and who portrait was done by Zito.
Two ceramic camel figurines, undated
Box 20
Newspaper articles about Duke Gardens. Includes inscribed Oversize Box folder to hold the articles, 1964
Oversize Box 21
Pencil Drawing of Doris Duke with Horse, by Fred A. Cady, 1942
Oversize Box 25
Folder 1
Young Doris Duke by John D. Jasta, 1923
Oversize Box 25
Folder 2
Charcoal Drawing of pet dog "Mike" by Evelyn Fagan, undated
Oversize Box 25
Folder 3
Nanaline H. Duke portrait by Louis Holt, undated
Oversize Box 25
Folder 4
Piece created by Robert Lee Eshridgu of Johnny Gomez. Piece is signed by Johnny Gomez. Created in 1927, signed in 1937, 1926
Oversize Box 25
Folder 5
Triptych painting of a young Doris Duke by Mira Edgerly, 1916
Oversize Box 26
Louisville Slugger baseball bat with Doris Duke's name carved through it, undated
Oversize Box 27
Autographed football to Miss Duke from the coaches and players of the Midgets football team that Miss Duke sponsored, undated
Oversize Box 28
Partial weathervane presumed to be from Duke Farms. Includes arrow and "James", circa early 1900s
Oversize Box 29
Reproduction of drawing of Louis Bromfield with dog by J. Anthony Wills, 1946
Oversize Box 30
Folder 3
Duke Family Genealogy, circa 1950s
Ovsz. Folder 1
Ceramic tile from swimming pool at Duke Farms estate, 1933 Jan
Oversize Box 31
The postcards in this series vary widely. Postcards include those relating to Duke Farms that were collected by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, postcards collected by Doris Duke, and on a lesser scale postcards sent to Doris Duke.
Postcards relating to Duke Farms - Bridges, Buildings, Coach Barn, Cascades/Falls, circa 1900s (1 of 4)
Box 22
Folder 1
Postcards relating to Duke Farms - Fountains, Gardens, Gates , circa 1900s (2 of 4)
Box 22
Folder 2
Postcards relating to Duke Farms - Lakes/Creeks, Other, Residence, circa 1900s (3 of 4)
Box 22
Folder 3
Postcards relating to Duke Farms - Roads, Statues, Well House, circa 1900s (4 of 4)
Box 22
Folder 4
Postcards relating to Rough Point, circa 1920s
Box 22
Folder 5
Mini postcards of various scenes in the Middle East, circa 1930s
Box 22
Folder 6
Variety of postcards collected from all over the world, most likely from Doris Dukes travels, 1930s-1940s (1 of 5)
Box 23
Folder 1
Variety of postcards collected from all over the world, most likely from Doris Dukes travels, 1930s-1940s (2 of 5)
Box 23
Folder 2
Variety of postcards collected from all over the world, most likely from Doris Dukes travels, 1930s-1940s (3 of 5)
Box 23
Folder 3
Variety of postcards collected from all over the world, most likely from Doris Dukes travels, 1930s-1940s (4 of 5)
Box 23
Folder 4
Variety of postcards collected from all over the world, most likely from Doris Dukes travels, 1930s-1940s (5 of 5)
Box 23
Folder 5
Variety of postcards with scenes depicting Hawaiian life, activities, and beaches, 1930s-1940s
Box 23
Folder 6
Postcard sent to Doris Duke from Francisco di Pasirosa[?] while she was in Rome. Includes a prayer on the reverse side, "Don't Quit", 1946
Box 23
Folder 7
Postcard sent to Doris Duke from an unknown sender. Probably from someone close to her, as she is referred to as "Daisy" on the postcard, 1968 Oct
Box 23
Folder 8
Various postcards of the interior displays at Duke Gardens, 1980s-1990s
Box 23
Folder 9
Postcards of various locations and works of art, undated (1 of 4)
Box 23
Folder 10
Postcards of various locations and works of art, undated (2 of 4)
Box 24
Folder 1
Postcards of various locations and works of art, undated (3 of 4)
Box 24
Folder 2
Postcards of various locations and works of art, undated (4 of 4)
Box 24
Folder 3
Postcards from the Aquarium du Musee Oceanographique de Monaco, undated
Box 24
Folder 4
Postcards of Heronwood in Upperville, Virginia, undated
Box 24
Folder 5
Postcard of Heroes Square, Millenary Monument, Russia, undated
Box 24
Folder 6
Postcard of Los Angeles State and County Arboretum, Arcadia, California, undated
Box 24
Folder 7
Postcard of Lynnewood and the Wonder Fountain at Lynnewood, undated
Box 24
Folder 8
Postcards of NRF properties such as Trinity Church and Sunken Gardens, "The Elons", undated
Box 24
Folder 9
Postcards of Prescott Farms, undated
Box 24
Folder 10
Postcard of Skylark Helicopters in Miami, Florida, undated
Box 24
Folder 11
Postcards of Somerville, undated
Box 24
Folder 12
Postcards Souvenir Album, du Veritable Arbre de Robinson, undated
Box 24
Folder 13
Postcards and traveller information on various locations including Egypt, India, New Zealand, and Spain, undated
Box 24
Folder 14
Born on November 22, 1912, Doris Duke was the only child of James Buchanan (J.B.) Duke, a founder of the American Tobacco Company and Duke Energy Company and a benefactor of Duke University, and Nanaline Holt Duke. Inheriting a bulk of her father's estate in 1925, which included Duke Farms in New Jersey, Rough Point in Newport, R.I., and a mansion in New York City, Doris was soon dubbed by the press as "the richest girl in the world." Although Doris did her best to live a private life, she carried on the Duke family's pattern of philanthropy by contributing to a number of public causes such as the arts, historic preservation, and the environment. Doris Duke died in October 1993 at the age of 80. In her will she left the majority of her estate to the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
- Duke Family Papers, 1885-1992 (bulk 1892-1927) (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
- Doris Duke Papers, 1798-2003 and undated (bulk 1930-1999) (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
- Doris Duke Papers on the Duke Farms Residence, 1859-2004 and undated (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
- Doris Duke Papers on the Rough Point Residence, 1922-1997 (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
[Identification of item], Doris Duke Memorabilia Collection, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Historical Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
The Doris Duke Memorabilia Collection was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a donation from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in June 2009.
Processed by Mary Samouelian, June 2012
Encoded by Mary Samouelian, June 2012
Accession(s) described in this finding aid: UA2009-0030
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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