Duke Energy

James Buchanan Duke, known as "Buck" Duke, was an American tobacco and electric power industrialist best known for his involvement in the growth of the American tobacco industry and his pivotal role in establishing the Duke Power Company, the precursor to Duke Energy.

Born on December 23, 1856, in Durham, North Carolina, Duke grew up in the post-Civil War South. His father, Washington Duke, had a small landholding and grew tobacco, setting the stage for Duke's future success.

Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States, providing electricity to millions of customers in the Southeast and Midwest regions. The company is also involved in the distribution and sale of natural gas. Founded by James Buchanan Duke in 1904, Duke Energy is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "DUK."