The gender of inheritance in an upper-class family network: Dallas, 1895–1945

Abstract

Inheritance increasingly drives the global wealth gap. But we know little about variation in bequest practices across wealthy populations, beyond the fact that eldest sons have traditionally inherited the largest fortunes. This article offers a case study of one wealthy population, combining the full kinship network of the Dallas upper class from 1895 to 1945 (n = 12 323) with probate data for a sample of elites who died in Dallas during that time period (n = 551). Although the population was highly patriarchal, suggesting that elites would unequivocally favor male heirs, women inherited three times more wealth than men. Less surprisingly, women and men inherited different types of wealth: income-producing capital flowed to men, and trusts and durable consumption assets flowed to women. Overall, family wealth arrangements formed a private, gendered safety net designed to maintain an upper-class lifestyle for all close kin, rather than simply preserving a patrilineal dynasty.