Cornelius Vanderbilt by Will Thompson

willthompson1398 — 2016-01-21 04:18:13 UTC

Cornelius Vanderbilt

willthompson1398 — 2016-01-21 04:18:45 UTC

Biography

willthompson1398 — 2016-01-21 04:19:46 UTC

Vanderbilt was born on May 27, 1794, in New York. He was born into hard times and his parents worked him even harder. At age 11 he quit school to work in the ferry business like his dad. After years of this work, he progressed and eventually went into the business himself. After many years in the shipping industry, and earning as much as 30 million dollars already, he started building and funding lots of railroads. He died in 1877 with as much as 95 milion dollars total.

Industry

willthompson1398 — 2016-01-21 04:40:16 UTC

The shipping industry was Vanderbilt's first success. In the 1820s was when he first went into business on his own and he thrived. Working hard to make money, he made a million dollars by 1846, which in todays world would be much more than one million. By 1864 he had quit the shipping business and turned to railroads. He built railroads across America and profited greatly from it.

George Washington Vanderbilt

willthompson1398 — 2016-01-21 04:59:51 UTC

George Washington Vanderbilt, Cornelius' grandson, built the Biltmore House in Asheville NC.

Charity and Fortune

willthompson1398 — 2016-01-21 05:05:00 UTC

Vanderbilt donated a small amount of his money to various places. He donated 1 million dollars to develop a college. The college would end up to be Vanderbilt University. He died in 1877 and left as much as 90 million dollar to his son and 7 million to his sons sons. His wife and daughters got a small amount too.

willthompson1398 — 2016-01-21 05:08:38 UTC

willthompson1398 — 2016-01-21 05:09:03 UTC

Sources

willthompson1398 — 2016-01-21 05:10:33 UTC

http://www.biography.com/people/cornelius-vanderbilt-9515195#final-years-and-legacy

http://www.history.com/topics/cornelius-vanderbilt