This is a very well researched and written book, and apart from telling the story of cornelius vanderbilt himself, it is a fascinating history of the united states in the nineteenth century, the early days of steam paddle boats and railways, the civil war, and the foundation of the us dollar, corporations, corruption in government and much more. Cornelius 184399, william kissam 18491920, and george washington 18621914. She was a painter, a writer, and designer but also a remarkable. If americans were not grateful for the many steamships he built, the major railroad lines he integrated into a common. Gloria vanderbilt leaves almost everything to anderson cooper. Morgan, was a unique, complex and historically significant person and his complexities and contributions to american society on numerous fronts are beautifully documented in this book. The golden era, and grand destruction, of cornelius. Stiless whacking new biography of cornelius vanderbilt moves with force and conviction and imperious wit through the noisy life and times of. She was born april 15, 1767 in rahway, essex county, new jersey, the daughter of. The latest from renehan, author most recently of a muchpraised biography of another titan of 19thcentury business, jay gould, is a thorough look at cornelius vanderbilt 17941877, who ros. View the profiles of people named cornelius vanderbilt. After working with his fathers business, vanderbilt worked his way into leadership positions in the inland water trade and invested in the rapidly growing railroad industry.
He was interviewed by paul hutton, author of phil sheridan and. Founder of a dynasty, builder of the original grand central, creator of an impossibly vast fortune, cornelius commodore vanderbilt is an. The most recent book that centers largely upon vanderbilt is stephen dandocollinss tycoons war. Join facebook to connect with cornelius vanderbilt and others you may know. These are the life stories of six of the richest men who ever lived in. Heres what you learn about cornelius vanderbilt by reading this bookhe was born the son of a dutch farmer on staten island in the 1790s and ended up being an incredibly shrewd businessman who generated considerable wealth through hustling both freight and passengers in the nyc area on his various sailboats, steamboats, and later in life his. Jul 28, 2014 the first tycoon is the definitive biography on cornelius commodore vanderbilt.
Cornelius vanderbilt was born on may 27, 1794, in the port richmond area of staten island, new york. Rockefeller, henry ford, cornelius vanderbilt i loved them. Cornelius vanderbilt 17941877 was a shipping and railroad tycoon, and a selfmade multimillionaire who became one of the wealthiest americans of the 19th century. The epic life of cornelius vanderbilt is an impressive and fascinating biography, wonderfully evocative of the quiet man with enormous power, influence and wealth. Cornelius vanderbilt simple english wikipedia, the free. He was also the patriarch of the vanderbilt family. He was a financier who cofounded the aviation corporation of the americas and pan american airways, and coproduced gone with the wind.
Humbly born on staten island during george washingtons presidency, he rose from boatman to builder of the nations largest. On the shelves of george vanderbilts library biltmore. His father had a boat business, and as a youngster vanderbilt grew to love the sea and sailing. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.
The vanderbilt family is an american family of dutch origin who gained prominence during the gilded age. Even today, long after their deaths, the names of these six men continue to be associated with wealth and power. Founder of the vanderbilt business dynasty, cornelius vanderbilt made his fortune first in steamships and shipping and then in railroads. Phebe hand laid the foundation for vanderbilt success this is the 50th article in the genealogy project, 52 ancestors in 52 weeks. He was the oldest and perhaps the greatest of the nineteenthcentury railroad barons anb. Whitney, as well as the son of harry payne whitney. You can visit all of these incredible vanderbilt family homes.
The epic life of cornelius vanderbilt was a meticulously and extensively researched biography of cornelius commodore vanderbilt. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading commodore. When they were alive, they dominated their worlds as few men had done before, and few have done since. Winner of the pulitzer prize and the national book award. Richard milner iv, cornelius vanderbilt distinguished professor of education. Book description a gripping, groundbreaking biography of the combative man whose genius and force of will created modern capitalism. National bestsellerwinner of the national book awardin this groundbreaking biography, t. He left school at the age of eleven to work with his father, and by the time he turned sixteen he badly wanted his own boat. See more ideas about cornelius vanderbilt, mansions and american mansions. Background cornelius vanderbilt was born on april 30, 1898, in new york city.
This interesting and compelling book told not only the story of this powerful man but also the history of america during one of the most sweeping and memorable times in our history. Gloria vanderbilts will says her eldest son leopold stan stokowski will get her midtown pad in a coop at 30 beekman place, but all the rest of her property goes to cnn host anderson. Cornelius vanderbilt, also known informally as commodore vanderbilt, was an american business magnate and philanthropist who built his wealth. Of the three, cornelius was by far the most devoted to furthering the family. Vanderbilt, cornelius, 17941877, american railroad magnate, b. Cornelius vanderbilt iv was born on april 30, 1898, in staten island to cornelius neily vanderbilt iii 18731942 and grace graham wilson 18701953. The life of cornelius vanderbilt kindle edition by renehan jr. If interested in a complete biography of vanderbilt please consider a copy of t. Vanderbilt was born in staten island, new york, in. A gripping, groundbreaking biography of the combative man whose genius and force of will created modern capitalism.
May 01, 2009 a man of brutal force, cornelius vanderbilt for better and worse helped to shape american business culture. Cornelius vanderbilt whitney 18991992 was the grandson of cornelius vanderbilt and william c. Insight and analysis into the life and success of americas first tycoon. Cornelius was also the patriarch of the extremely wealthy influential vanderbilt family. Cornelius vanderbilt may 27, 1794 january 4, 1877 was an american businessman and philanthropist. George began building it in 1889 after visiting the area with his.
Biographical profile of cornelius vanderbilt, entrepreneur, shipping and railroad magnate and one of the wealthiest and best known tycoons in american history. The fairytalelike biltmore house was the summer home of another of corneliuss brothers, george vanderbilt, and his wife, edith. Phebe hand vanderbilt 17671854 find a grave memorial. Vanderbilt, cornelius new york public library digital collections. Aug 09, 2016 cornelius vanderbilt, also known informally as commodore vanderbilt, was an american business magnate and philanthropist who built his wealth in railroads and shipping. Jun 17, 2019 the fairytalelike biltmore house was the summer home of another of cornelius s brothers, george vanderbilt, and his wife, edith. It also happens to be the room that best reflects george vanderbilts intellect and personality. By the 1850s he had shifted his focus from steamships to railroads. Stiles 7 years to research and write this biography and he did a incredible job. How cornelius vanderbilt invaded a country to overthrow americas most famous military adventurer new york. Cornelius vanderbilt, vignetted standing portrait the.
The lives of john jacob astor, cornelius vanderbilt, andrew carnegie, john d. The palatial cornelius vanderbilt ii house on fifth avenue survived less than 50 years. Business biographies and memoirs titans of industry by j. Jun 17, 2018 the palatial cornelius vanderbilt ii house on fifth avenue survived less than 50 years. Cornelius vanderbilt may 27, 1794 january 4, 1877 was an american business magnate who built his wealth in railroads and shipping. Cornelius vanderbilt 1794 to 1877 was an american business magnate whose wealth and significance was rooted in the shipping industry and the development of railroads. Their success began with the shipping and railroad empires of cornelius vanderbilt, and the family expanded into various other areas of industry and philanthropy. The third generation of vanderbiltsfollowing cornelius and william henry vanderbiltwas led by three of william henrys four sons. This book is an excellent example of the trouble that can ensue when a desire to tell a vivid story overrides scholarly. He began a passenger ferry business in new york harbor with one boat, then started. Stiles talked about his pulitzer prizewinning book, the first tycoon. Vanderbilt began his transportation empire by operating a ferryboat between staten island and new york city.
Cornelius vanderbilt, byname commodore vanderbilt, born may 27, 1794, port richmond, staten island, new york, u. And also a great study of how quickly 12 generations can drain a familys wealth dry. Founder of a dynasty, builder of the original grand central, creator of an impossibly vast fortune, cornelius commodore vanderbilt is an american icon. Stiless whacking new biography of cornelius vanderbilt moves with force and conviction and imperious wit through the noisy life and times of the man who inspired the term robber baron. By 1927, the crown jewel of an american royal family was rubbleand today its bergdorfs. Cornelius vanderbilt spent little of his long life fretting over his image. At the time of his death he owned five percent of americas wealth. Uneducated and coming from a poor background, vanderbilt built an empire, beginning with sailboats before graduating to steamships. Cornelius vanderbilt, vignetted standing portrait the 19th. Uneducated and coming from a poor background, vanderbilt built an empire, beginning. Vanderbilt family, one of the wealthiest and most prominent families in the united states. Manuscripts and archives division, the new york public library. A man of brutal force, cornelius vanderbilt for better and worse helped to shape american business culture. As a boy he ferried freight and passengers from staten island to manhattan, and he soon gained control of most of the ferry lines and other short lines in the vicinity of new york city.
National bestseller winner of the national book award in this groundbreaking biography, t. Gloria vanderbilt was an extraordinary woman, who loved life, and lived it on her own terms, son cooper said in a statement. George vanderbilts library of biltmore house is a favorite room among guests and employees alike. May 10, 2009 cornelius vanderbilt spent little of his long life fretting over his image. A novel of the vanderbilts by therese anne fowler, consuelo and alva vanderbilt. Great historical book about the cornelius vanderbilt commodore, what happened to the kids and the wealth. Jul 01, 2019 gloria vanderbilts will says her eldest son leopold stan stokowski will get her midtown pad in a coop at 30 beekman place, but all the rest of her property goes to cnn host anderson. Cornelius vanderbilts descendants went on to build grand mansions on fifth avenue in new york city.
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