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Cornelius Vanderbilt
The shipping and railroad magnate who built a transport empire around New York.
Nicaragua route · New York Central
- Born
- 27 May 1794
- Birthplace
- United States
- Died
- 4 January 1877
More people
Cornelius Vanderbilt
Cornelius Vanderbilt moved from small ferries into steamships and major railroads. His aggressive competition and consolidation made him a central figure in nineteenth-century American capitalism.
Early life
Staten Island
Worked on his father’s ferry as a boy.
Early enterprise
Began operating boats while still a teenager.
Career
- 1817
Steam navigation
Began working for steamboat operator Thomas Gibbons.
- 1829
Independent operator
Expanded his own steamboat business.
- 1860s
Railroads
Shifted his main interests from shipping to rail transport.
- 1869
Railway consolidation
Combined major lines into the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad.
Companies & projects
Nicaragua route
Competed for California-bound passengers via Central America.
New York Central
Gained control of the railroad.
Grand Central Depot
Opened the New York rail terminus.
Beyond work
University gift
Provided the founding endowment for Vanderbilt University in 1873.
Family dynasty
His wealth passed into one of America’s best-known business families.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Career and work — vanderbilt.edu ↗Photo: Produced by Mathew Brady 's studio, restored by Michel Vuijlsteke. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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