R. J. Reynolds

Biography

R. J. Reynolds rose from a rural North Carolina upbringing to found the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, building a leading tobacco enterprise headquartered in Winston-Salem that shaped the region's economy. His sharp business instincts, attention to detail, and willingness to invest in innovation turned the company into a national brand.

He also invested in his community, supporting civic improvements, churches, and educational institutions, while leaving a mark on the people of the Piedmont through jobs and philanthropy that extended beyond his industrial achievements.