Cornelius Vanderbilt II
The grandson of the Commodore who built America's greatest private fortune, he translated raw wealth into Gilded Age opulence with his monumental New York mansion.
1843–1899 (age 56)·American businessman·Birthday: November 27
Biography
Cornelius Vanderbilt II was not the empire builder his grandfather was, but he became the standard-bearer for the Vanderbilt family's social and architectural ambition. As the eldest grandson of Cornelius 'Commodore' Vanderbilt, he inherited the mantle of family leadership and a vast portion of its railroad fortune. He served as president of the New York Central Railroad, but his true legacy was written in stone and mortar. In the 1880s, he commissioned the largest private residence ever built in New York City: a colossal French Renaissance château at 1 West 57th Street, containing 154 rooms. This palace was the epicenter of American high society, a physical manifestation of the Gilded Age's excess. A devout Methodist, he was also a significant philanthropist, funding the construction of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the Young Men's Christian Association. His life embodied the tension between immense wealth, social duty, and the pursuit of permanence.
#1 When Cornelius Was Born
The biggest hits of 1843
Cornelius's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1843Born
1848Started school
1856Became a teenager
1859Could drive
1861Could vote
President: Abraham Lincoln
1864Turned 21
President: Abraham Lincoln
1873Turned 30
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1883Turned 40
President: Chester A. Arthur
1893Turned 50
World's Columbian Exposition dazzles Chicago
President: Grover Cleveland
1899Died at 56
President: William McKinley
Key Achievements
- Commissioned and occupied 'The Cornelius Vanderbilt II House', the largest private home in New York City upon its completion in 1883.
- Served as President and Chairman of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad.
- Was a major benefactor to the construction of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan.
- Helped establish the Vanderbilt family as leaders of New York society in the late 19th century.
Did You Know?
His New York mansion required a staff of over 30 to operate.
He suffered a debilitating stroke in 1896, after which his wife Alice took over much of the management of his affairs and philanthropy.
The bulk of his famous New York home was demolished in 1927, with only the wrought iron gates surviving.
He and his wife banned the new and scandalous dance, the waltz, from their society balls.
“The public be damned! I work for my stockholders.”
