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Cornelius "The Commodore" Vanderbilt began life in poverty on Staten Island and left school at age eleven to work on his father's ferry, marking the humble origins of the Vanderbilt dynasty

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By his early twenties, Cornelius had started his own ferry business, quickly earning a reputation for being headstrong, shrewd, and unafraid to take risks to make money

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The nickname "Commodore" was initially a joke from other boatmen but stuck with Cornelius throughout his life, symbolizing his dominance in shipping

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During the War of 1812, Cornelius saw opportunity in adversity, striking deals with the British during their blockade to profit from trade disruptions

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Cornelius Vanderbilt built one of the largest shipping empires in America before turning his attention to railroads, where he established an even greater fortune.

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At the time of his death in 1877, Vanderbilt was the richest man in America, leaving behind an estate worth $100 million-equivalent to more than $2 billion today

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His dying words reportedly urged his heirs to "keep the money together," reflecting his desire for the family's continued financial dominance

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The Commodore left the bulk of his fortune to his favorite son, William Henry "Billy" Vanderbilt, bypassing many other family members and sowing seeds of familial discord

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Billy Vanderbilt not only preserved but doubled the family fortune, using his wealth to break into New York high society, which had previously shunned the Vanderbilts as nouveau riche

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Denied access to elite social venues, Billy responded by building the Metropolitan Opera House, cementing the family's place in Gilded Age society

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The Vanderbilt story is emblematic of the American dream: rising from humble beginnings to immense wealth through ambition, risk-taking, and innovation.

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The family's newfound wealth also brought challenges, including internal rivalries, extravagant spending, and a gradual decline in fortune over subsequent generations

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The Vanderbilts became famous for their palatial homes, lavish parties, and conspicuous consumption, making them symbols of both American success and excess

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Despite their financial power, the Vanderbilts struggled for social acceptance among New York's old-money elite, highlighting the persistent divide between established aristocracy and self-made fortunes

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The episode sets the stage for the family's later triumphs and tragedies, illustrating how the Commodore's legacy shaped not only his descendants but also the broader narrative of American capitalism and society