Duke was a short-lived men's magazine formed by ex-employees of the Johnson Publishing Company.
It is notable as an early attempt at an upscale adult periodical for African-American audiences.
[3] The first Duchess was Eleanor Crews, who had earlier appeared as the October girl in the 1957 pin-up calendar included with the New Year issue of Jet.
While Modern Man was not an ethnic publication, and Burns was a white Jew, he was well acquainted with the black press, having held high ranking positions at the Chicago Defender, Ebony and its sister publication Jet.
[2] The editor and face of the magazine was journalist and musician Dan Burley, although it has been argued that he was largely a figurehead hired to lend black credibility to the magazine, while Burns (who did not appear on the masthead)[5] was the main man.