September 13, 2023

Big Tobacco’s Surprising Role in Duke University’s Medical Prominence

Duke University is now one of the premier medical institutions in the world. Their hospital and medical school rank among the global elite. However, the origins of Duke’s medical prominence have an unexpected connection to the tobacco industry. James Buchanan “Buck” Duke made a fortune pioneering cigarette rolling machines for mass production. He used this wealth to establish Duke University in 1924, donating millions for a new medical school and hospital. At the time, the negative health impacts of smoking were unknown. Today, Duke treats the illnesses caused by tobacco while advancing medical research and care. The story illustrates how philanthropy, though flawed, can drive social progress. Even unintended harms may be mitigated through generosity and vision.

Heston TF. Big Tobacco, Cigarettes, and the Foundation of Duke University. Preprints 2023, 2023040968 (doi: 10.20944/preprints202304.0968.v1).