Henry Francis Du Pont

Henry Francis du Pont (May 27, 1880 – April 11, 1969), was an American horticulturist, an expert and collector of early American furniture and decorative arts, particularly of Federal furniture, and a member of the Du Pont family. For more than 40 years, he was recognized as a premier breeder for his herd of Holstein-Freisian cattle.

Through the decades, he expanded his mansion sixfold, resulting in 175 rooms full of fine furniture and furnishings. In 1951 he established his estate of Winterthur in Delaware as what has been recognized as the premier museum of American Decorative Arts. It is also known for its extensive gardens, whose design and development he had supervised for decades. He acted as an adviser and consultant on the renovation of the White House in 1961-1963, using his wide circle of contacts to gain donations of high-quality antiques and fine art to represent the best in American design.