Cornelius Vanderbilt
1794 – 1877 American shipping and railroad magnate
The 'Commodore' who founded the Vanderbilt fortune in shipping and railroads.
- Religion
- Protestant (Moravian, later Episcopalian).
- Affiliations
- Built a shipping and railroad empire including the New York Central Railroad; endowed Vanderbilt University.
Starting with a single ferry, he built a steamboat and then railroad empire centred on the New York Central. At his death he was the richest American of his era, and he left an endowment that founded Vanderbilt University.
Connections
- family of William Henry Vanderbilt — His eldest son and chief heir.
- family of William Henry Vanderbilt — His father.