History and architecture
The impressive splendor of the Duke mansion is achieve through the simple grandeur of the French Classical style of Louis XV. It was designed in 1909 by the well-known architect, Horace Trumbauer of Philadelphia. He modeled it after the Labottiere mansion in Bordeaux, which had been designed by Laclotte in the 18th century.
James B. Duke represents the American dream and tradition -- the poor boy who became a success. Growing up in post Civil War days on a farm in North Carolina, he larded the hard way how to grow, cure and sell tobacco. In the 1880s he fought to draw the five principal cigarette manufacturers in the celebrated "tobacco war," and in 1890 they united to form the American Tobacco Company, with him as president. After the Supreme Court order of 1911 dissolving the company under the antitrust laws, Duke succeeded in the difficult task of implementing the decision and setting up competing companies.
In 1924, the year before his death, he created the trust fund that was used chiefly in founding Duke University in North Carolina. In 1957-58 his widow and only child, Doris Duke, gave the No. 1 East 78th Street property to New York University. Since that time, it has been the center for the University's Institute of Fine Arts.
Sources and further reading
This history comes from the Landmarks app’s historical catalog. Names and building uses may reflect the period described.