Cornelius Vanderbilt

Cornelius Vanderbilt
Author: Produced by Mathew Brady's studio, restored by Michel Vuijlsteke, 1844-60, Source: US Library of Congress, Public Domain
Born May 27, 1794 in NYC
Died 1877
  • Ruthless business tycoon who became a self-made multi-millionaire in the shipping and railroad industries.
  • Donated his largest ship to the Union Army for the Civil War and made a fortune transporting prospectors during the Gold Rush.
  • Gave $1 million to Central Univ. in TN (which was then renamed after him).
“I don’t care half so much about making money as I do about making my point, and coming out ahead.”