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Cornelius Vanderbilt (May 27, 1794 – January 4, 1877), nicknamed "the Commodore", was an American business magnate who built his wealth in railroads and shipping. [1] [2] After working with his father's business, Vanderbilt worked his way into leadership positions in the inland water trade and invested in the rapidly growing railroad industry, effectively transforming the geography of the ...
Apr 16, 2010 · Learn about Cornelius Vanderbilt, a self-made shipping and railroad tycoon who became one of the wealthiest Americans of the 19th century. Find out how he made his fortune, his role in the Erie Railroad War and his philanthropic donation to Vanderbilt University.
Cornelius Vanderbilt (born May 27, 1794, Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York, U.S.—died January 4, 1877, New York, New York) was an American shipping and railroad magnate who acquired a personal fortune of more than $100 million. The son of an impoverished farmer and boatman, Vanderbilt quit school at age 11 to work on the waterfront.
Apr 2, 2014 · Cornelius Vanderbilt was a famous industrialist who worked in railroads and shipping. He had accumulated the largest fortune in the U.S. at the time of his death, in 1877.
- An early start in the shipping business. Born in May 1794 on Staten Island, New York, Vanderbilt came from a Dutch farming family who lived in Port Richmond, on the north shore of the island.
- Epic legal battle. Vanderbilt delivered the profits as promised. He revised the schedules to make the service more reliable and made the boats more comfortable for passengers.
- Profited from California gold rush. By the time Vanderbilt celebrated his fortieth birthday in 1834, he possessed a fortune worth $500,000, a huge amount at the time.
- Moved into railroads. Vanderbilt soon sold most of his fleet and left the shipping business altogether. In the early 1860s he ventured into railroads. His first purchase was the New York and Harlem Railroad, which again put him into competition with Daniel Drew.
Cornelius Vanderbilt. Cornelius Vanderbilt, the ‘Commodore’: the first of the robber barons. The Civil War broke his heart, but made his second fortune. Cornelius was born in 1794 on Staten Island among the harbours that would make his first fortune. Aged 11, he started work with his father, a poor illiterate seaman, but by 16, he’s ...
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Apr 30, 2018 · Learn how Cornelius Vanderbilt, nicknamed "The Commodore", became the richest man in America by dominating the steamboat and railroad industries. Discover his early life, his business strategies, his family legacy and his impact on history.
