Cornelius Vanderbilt II

Cornelius Vanderbilt II
John Singer Sargent · Public domain · source
Name	Cornelius Vanderbilt II
Birth date	November 27, 1843
Birth place	Staten Island, New York City, New York
Death date	September 12, 1899
Death place	Newport, Rhode Island
Occupation	Businessman, Philanthropy
Spouse	Alice Claypoole Gwynne
Children	Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt
Parents	William Henry Vanderbilt, Maria Louisa Kissam Vanderbilt
Relatives	Cornelius Vanderbilt, William Kissam Vanderbilt, Frederick William Vanderbilt

Cornelius Vanderbilt II was a member of the prominent Vanderbilt family and a businessman who played a significant role in the development of the New York Central Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road. He was the grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt and the son of William Henry Vanderbilt, who was a successful businessman and philanthropist in his own right, supporting institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History. Cornelius Vanderbilt II was also related to other notable figures, including William Kissam Vanderbilt and Frederick William Vanderbilt, who were involved in various business ventures, such as the New York and Harlem Railroad and the Grand Central Terminal. His family's business dealings often intersected with those of other prominent families, including the Astor family and the Rockefeller family, who were involved in industries such as Real estate and Oil refining.

● Early Life and Education

Cornelius Vanderbilt II was born on Staten Island, New York City, New York, to William Henry Vanderbilt and Maria Louisa Kissam Vanderbilt. He was educated at Harvard University, where he studied alongside other notable figures, including Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge. During his time at Harvard University, he was a member of the Hasty Pudding Club and the Porcellian Club, which were prestigious social clubs that counted among their members John F. Kennedy and George H.W. Bush. After completing his education, he went on to work in the family business, learning from his father and other experienced businessmen, such as Jay Gould and J.P. Morgan, who were involved in the development of the Union Pacific Railroad and the General Electric company.

● Business Career

Cornelius Vanderbilt II played a significant role in the development of the New York Central Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road, working closely with other notable businessmen, including Chauncey Depew and William H. Baldwin Jr., who were involved in the development of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He was also involved in the development of the Grand Central Terminal, which was a major transportation hub in New York City and a key part of the New York Central Railroad system, connecting to other major railroads, such as the Hudson River Railroad and the New York and New Haven Railroad. His business dealings often intersected with those of other prominent families, including the Astor family and the Rockefeller family, who were involved in industries such as Real estate and Oil refining, and companies such as Standard Oil and Sotheby's.

● Personal Life

Cornelius Vanderbilt II was married to Alice Claypoole Gwynne, and they had two children together, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt. His daughter, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, was a prominent artist and philanthropist who founded the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, which featured works by artists such as Edward Hopper and Georgia O'Keeffe. His son, Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, was also involved in the family business and was a member of the New York Yacht Club and the Jockey Club, which were prestigious social clubs that counted among their members J.P. Morgan and William Randolph Hearst. The family often spent their summers at their estate in Newport, Rhode Island, which was a popular resort town among the wealthy elite, including the Astor family and the Rockefeller family, who owned estates such as The Breakers and Marble House.

● Philanthropy

Cornelius Vanderbilt II was a generous philanthropist who supported a variety of causes, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History. He was also a supporter of the New York Public Library and the Carnegie Hall, which were major cultural institutions in New York City, and featured performances by musicians such as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Igor Stravinsky. His philanthropic efforts were often focused on education and the arts, and he worked closely with other notable philanthropists, including Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, who were involved in the development of institutions such as the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Foundation. He also supported the work of the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, which were major humanitarian organizations that provided aid to those in need, including victims of disasters such as the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and the Johnstown Flood.

● Legacy

Cornelius Vanderbilt II left a lasting legacy in the world of business and philanthropy, and his name became synonymous with wealth and success. He was a member of the Vanderbilt family, which was one of the most prominent families in the United States, and his business dealings and philanthropic efforts had a significant impact on the development of New York City and the surrounding region. His legacy continues to be felt today, with the Vanderbilt family remaining a major force in business and philanthropy, and institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art continuing to thrive, featuring works by artists such as Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. The family's history and legacy are also preserved at the Biltmore Estate, which was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II and features a collection of art and artifacts from around the world, including works by Raphael and Rembrandt.