C. Douglass Buck completed his early education at Wilmington Friends School and attended the University of Pennsylvania Engineering School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and later became Chief Engineer for the Du Pont Company's superhighway project in Delaware. Buck was elected Governor of Delaware in 1928 and reelected in 1932, where he initiated financial relief efforts during the Great Depression. He later served in the U.S. Senate and as Tax Commissioner of Delaware.

C. Douglass Buck's political identity is marked by a blend of fiscal conservatism and strategic interventionism, particularly during the Great Depression. His tenure as Governor saw him borrow federal funds for state relief, showcasing a willingness to engage in federal mechanisms while maintaining a cautious approach to state finances. Buck's appointment of Pierre S. du Pont to head the State Liquor Commission and his role in transferring road maintenance to the State Highway Department highlight a calculated effort to balance industrial interests with public welfare. This juxtaposition of conservative fiscal principles with pragmatic interventions reveals a nuanced approach to governance.