In some ways it seems destined that Mary Duke Biddle’s life would be defined by the grace, generosity, and philanthropic spirit she brought to all her endeavors. After all, the charitable impulse runs deep in her family. Her grandfather, Washington Duke, never lost sight of his humble beginnings as a fledgling tobacco farmer, even after he had amassed great wealth and stature. He instilled in his children and grandchildren the joys and obligations of service. Through his support of education, religion, and community welfare, Washington Duke set the tone for subsequent generations of the Duke family to address social concerns for the betterment of individuals and society.

Two of Washington Duke’s sons, James Buchanan and Benjamin Newton, followed in their father’s benevolent footsteps, providing ongoing patronage to many of the same causes that their father championed. (Washington Duke’s other children, Brodie and Mary, died young.) By the time that Mary Lillian Duke was born, on November 16, 1887, the only daughter of Benjamin Newton Duke and his wife, Sara Pearson Angier Duke, the die had been cast. From an early age, Mary was exposed to the themes that would shape and define her world outlook: how modest gifts of time and money can multiply, how access to education can forever alter a life path, how music and the arts can enrich the human condition, how churches and congregations can uplift impoverished souls.

Mary attended Durham public schools as a child, and enrolled in Trinity College, where she earned her degree in English in 1907. The institution, later named Duke University, gained stability and flourished, thanks in no small part to the financial backing of her grandfather, father, and uncle. Mary’s brother, Angier Buchanan Duke, also graduated from Trinity, and both would go on to support the institution throughout their lives. (Angier, elected trustee in 1913, died in a tragic boating accident ten years later at the age of thirty-nine.)

During her youth she also traveled to New York with her parents, where she attended theater and opera performances and developed a keen interest in the arts. An accomplished singer and musician, she had a luminous voice—famed tenor Enrico Caruso reportedly urged her to tour professionally—until an overeager instructor insisted she push her voice too far. She also loved flowers and gardens; her father was known to have a vase of American Beauty roses by his bedside, and she would later orchestrate the creation of the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in honor of her mother.

After graduation from Trinity College, Mary was engaged in Durham’s social and civic affairs. Like her parents and extended family members before her, she was active in the Methodist church, and endorsed efforts to provide services for people from varying backgrounds. When Watts Hospitalopened for white families, for example, the Dukes helped support the establishment of the Lincoln Hospital for blacks.

In June of 1915, Mary married Anthony Drexel Biddle Jr., a boxer, tennis player, and captain in World WarI, whose dashing sense of style landed him on the pages of Esquiremagazine. (Two months earlier that year, Biddle’s sister, Cordelia, had married Mary’s brother Angier.) The Biddle newlyweds set up homes in Irvington-on-Hudson and New York City, the latter residence across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mary Duke Biddle was a patron of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, as well as musical symphonies and orchestras. The couple had two children, daughter Mary Duke Biddle and son Nicholas Duke Biddle.

Divorced in 1931, the couple parted ways, with Anthony Drexel Biddle pursuing a career in international affairs, serving as ambassador to Polandand the Benelux countries during World War II. Mary Duke Biddle moved back to Durham for part of each year beginning in 1936, spending the remainder of her time in Irvington. Over time, her Durham and family connections grew ever stronger. Although reserved and not comfortable in crowds, Mary Duke Biddle nonetheless sought to expand her involvement in Duke University, as well as the surrounding communities.

Near the end of her life, she discussed with family and friends a desire to continue her financial support of the causes and organizations that she, her parents, and her grandfather had assisted. Fearful that Duke University might be neglected in future generations, adviser Bert Stiles was adamant that half of the Foundation’s income go to the university. Mary, who trusted Stiles absolutely, agreed that he was right. On September 14, 1956, The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation was established as a trust under the laws of New York. According to the terms of the trust, the Foundation would be guided by at least five, but no more than seven, trustees who would have lifetime tenure, as well as absolute discretion in determining how best to accomplish her aims.

With an initial contribution of 800 shares of Aluminium Limited stock valued at $108,950, the Foundation made its first grants in December of that year: $204 to Duke University and $204 to Christ Church United Methodist, in New York. During the next four years, the founder helped increase its capital and direct contributions to Duke University, churches, hospitals, and various charitable organizations.

Mary Duke Biddle died in 1960 at the age of seventy-three, leaving behind a personal legacy of service to others, and a permanent institution for the benefit of the people of New York and North Carolina. To date, The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation has awarded grants totaling almost $36 million in support of the goals she endorsed and the values she exemplified.