Cornelius Vanderbilt III

Cornelius Vanderbilt III
Bertie Charles Forbes, author. B. C. Forbes Publishing (New York, NY), publisher · Public domain · source
Name	Cornelius Vanderbilt III
Birth date	September 5, 1873
Birth place	New York City, New York, United States
Death date	March 1, 1942
Death place	Miami Beach, Florida, Florida, United States
Occupation	Businessman, Philanthropy
Spouse	Grace Wilson Vanderbilt
Parents	Cornelius Vanderbilt II, Alice Claypoole Gwynne
Relatives	William Henry Vanderbilt, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt

Cornelius Vanderbilt III 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 William Henry Vanderbilt and the great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the founder of the Vanderbilt shipping empire. Cornelius Vanderbilt III was also a cousin of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, the founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art, and Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, a member of the New York Yacht Club. He was educated at Yale University, where he was a member of the Skull and Bones Society, and later attended the Columbia University Law School.

● Early Life and Education

Cornelius Vanderbilt III was born on September 5, 1873, in New York City, New York, to Cornelius Vanderbilt II and Alice Claypoole Gwynne. He was the eldest of four children and was raised in a wealthy and influential family. Vanderbilt III attended St. Paul's School (New Hampshire) and later enrolled at Yale University, where he studied English literature and history. During his time at Yale, he was a member of the Skull and Bones Society, a secret society that also included notable members such as William Howard Taft, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. After graduating from Yale, Vanderbilt III attended the Columbia University Law School, where he earned his law degree and became a member of the New York State Bar Association.

● Career

Cornelius Vanderbilt III began his career in the railroad industry, working for the New York Central Railroad, which was founded by his great-grandfather, Cornelius Vanderbilt. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a director of the company, playing a key role in the development of the railroad's electric locomotive system. Vanderbilt III also served as a director of the Long Island Rail Road and was a member of the Railway Association of America. In addition to his work in the railroad industry, Vanderbilt III was also a member of the New York Stock Exchange and served on the boards of several other companies, including the Bank of New York and the Chase National Bank. He was also a member of the New York Yacht Club and the Automobile Club of America.

● Personal Life

Cornelius Vanderbilt III married Grace Wilson Vanderbilt in 1896, and the couple had two children, Cornelius Vanderbilt IV and Grace Vanderbilt. The family lived in a mansion on Fifth Avenue (Manhattan), which was designed by the architect Stanford White. Vanderbilt III was a member of several social clubs, including the Knickerbocker Club and the Metropolitan Club of New York, and was known for his love of yachting and automobile racing. He was also a supporter of the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and served on the boards of several charitable organizations, including the New York City Mission Society and the YMCA of Greater New York.

● Philanthropy and Legacy

Cornelius Vanderbilt III was a philanthropist and supported several charitable causes, including the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the New York City Mission Society. He also donated to several educational institutions, including Yale University and Columbia University, and was a supporter of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Public Library. Vanderbilt III was also a member of the National Academy of Design and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and was a supporter of the Whitney Museum of American Art, which was founded by his cousin, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by the American Red Cross for his humanitarian work during World War I.

● Death and Aftermath

Cornelius Vanderbilt III died on March 1, 1942, in Miami Beach, Florida, at the age of 68. He was buried in the Vanderbilt Family Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, alongside his parents and other members of the Vanderbilt family. After his death, his estate was inherited by his son, Cornelius Vanderbilt IV, who continued to manage the family's business interests and philanthropic activities. Vanderbilt III's legacy as a businessman and philanthropist continues to be recognized today, and he is remembered as one of the most prominent members of the Vanderbilt family. His contributions to the development of the New York Central Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road are still celebrated, and his support of charitable causes and educational institutions continues to have a lasting impact on the United States. Category:American businesspeople