George Washington Vanderbilt II

George Washington Vanderbilt II
Biltmore Company · Public domain · source
Name	George Washington Vanderbilt II
Birth date	November 14, 1862
Birth place	New Dorp, Staten Island, New York City, New York, United States
Death date	March 6, 1914
Death place	Washington, D.C., United States
Occupation	Art collector, philanthropist, horticulturist
Spouse	Edith Stuyvesant Dresser
Parents	William Henry Vanderbilt and Maria Louisa Kissam Vanderbilt

George Washington Vanderbilt II was a member of the prominent Vanderbilt family and a renowned art collector, philanthropist, and horticulturist. He was the grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the founder of the Grand Central Terminal and the Long Island Rail Road. Vanderbilt II was also a close friend of Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous landscape architect who designed Central Park and the United States Capitol grounds. His love for art and nature was influenced by his travels to Europe, where he visited famous museums like the Louvre and Uffizi Gallery.

● Early Life

George Washington Vanderbilt II was born on November 14, 1862, in New Dorp, Staten Island, New York City, New York, to William Henry Vanderbilt and Maria Louisa Kissam Vanderbilt. He was the youngest of eight children and grew up in a wealthy family with strong connections to the New York Society. Vanderbilt II spent his childhood traveling to Europe with his family, visiting famous cities like Paris, Rome, and London. He developed a passion for art, architecture, and nature, which would later influence his career and personal life. Vanderbilt II was also educated at Columbia University and Yale University, where he studied Classics and History of art under the guidance of prominent professors like Charles Eliot Norton.

● Career

Vanderbilt II began his career as a collector of rare books and art, amassing a significant collection of Renaissance art and Medieval art. He was particularly interested in the works of William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and John Ruskin. Vanderbilt II also became a member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, where he served on the board of directors alongside notable figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain. His love for art and architecture led him to commission famous architects like Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmsted to design his estates and gardens. Vanderbilt II was also a close friend of Henry James, the famous Novelist, and Edith Wharton, the renowned Novelist and Interior designer.

● Biltmore Estate

In 1888, Vanderbilt II commissioned Richard Morris Hunt to design the Biltmore Estate, a grand chateau-style mansion in Asheville, North Carolina. The estate, which took six years to complete, featured an impressive collection of art and antiques, including works by Raphael, Titian, and Rembrandt. The gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, were inspired by the Garden of Versailles and the Boboli Gardens. The Biltmore Estate became a popular destination for the wealthy and famous, including Theodore Roosevelt, Edith Wharton, and Henry James. Vanderbilt II also established a winery and a dairy farm on the estate, which became a model for sustainable agriculture and conservation.

● Personal Life

In 1898, Vanderbilt II married Edith Stuyvesant Dresser, a member of the prominent Stuyvesant family. The couple had one daughter, Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt, who was born in 1900. Vanderbilt II was known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the field of Education and conservation. He was a supporter of the National Park Service and the Sierra Club, and he worked closely with Gifford Pinchot, the famous forester and Conservationist. Vanderbilt II was also a member of the New York Yacht Club and the Jekyll Island Club, where he socialized with other wealthy and influential individuals like J.P. Morgan and John Jacob Astor IV.

● Legacy

George Washington Vanderbilt II left a lasting legacy in the world of art, architecture, and conservation. The Biltmore Estate remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. Vanderbilt II's collection of art and antiques is considered one of the finest in the country, with works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Vincent van Gogh. His philanthropic efforts helped establish the National Park Service and the Sierra Club, and his commitment to conservation and sustainability has inspired generations of environmentalists and conservationists, including Rachel Carson and Al Gore. Vanderbilt II's legacy is also celebrated at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he served as a trustee and donor, and at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, where he was a member and supporter.

● Death and Burial

George Washington Vanderbilt II died on March 6, 1914, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 51. He was buried in the Vanderbilt family mausoleum on the Biltmore Estate, alongside his wife and daughter. Vanderbilt II's death was mourned by the art and social communities, and he was remembered for his generosity, his love of art and nature, and his commitment to conservation and philanthropy. The Biltmore Estate remains a testament to his legacy, and his collection of art and antiques continues to inspire and educate visitors from around the world, including The Museum of Modern Art, The National Gallery of Art, and the Getty Museum. Category:American art collectors