Cornelius Vanderbilt

AP US 2 Robber Baron Project Period Mr. Gibbs

By Elizabeth Jasko Denny Sabo Nishant Nick Cennera Anuj Mishra

Cornelius Vanderbilt Biography

Vanderbilt born on May 27, 1795 in Staten Island Quit school at age 11 Started working on his fathers ferry business

Cornelius Vanderbilt Biography

Vanderbilt married Sophia Johnson They moved to New York City They lived in a boarding house Had 13 children together
One of the children died during childhood

Cornelius Vanderbilt Industries Industry commonly associated with 1. Ferry 2. Railroad

Cornelius Vanderbilt Ferry Industry

At age 16, he started his own ferry business
To start, his parents gave him $100 Ferry traveled between New York City and Staten Island Ferry carried people and goods

Cornelius Vanderbilt Ferry Industry

Worked for Thomas Gibsons Ferry company Manager Got on the job training After Gibson died, Vanderbilt took over
Vanderbilt combined his and Gibsons company Formed one larger Ferry company

Formed secret alliances with other businessmen

Cornelius Vander Railroad Industry

At the time, railroads were useless Vanderbilt took interest in railroads Saw railroads as another way to get people from place to place Because of his fortune he could invest in many railroads Most railroads are still owned by the Vanderbilt family

Cornelius Vanderbilt Impact on America

Gold Rush~
People needed a fast way to get across the country Vanderbilt created a ferry that went through the Panama channel This created a i. A faster way to get across the country ii. Cheaper way to move people/goods iii. A safer way to get across the country iv. Made Vanderbilt richer Vanderbilt created railroads in the New York area that also helped with transportation

Cornelius Vanderbilt Legacy

Invested in areas like ferries/railroads
Started a transportation revolution Owned/Operated many ferries in north east area Developed the railroad system Owned 13 railroads

Cornelius Vanderbilt Legacy

Became one of the richest people in America
Estimated fortune of $100 million

Vanderbilt University (Tennessee)

Named after Vanderbilt

Cornelius Vanderbilt Fun Facts

1.Vanderbilts great-great grandfather was an indentured servant when he came to America 2.Sophia Johnson (Vanderbilts wife) was his cousin 3.After Johnson died, he married Frank Armstrong Crawford 4.Crawford was 48 years younger than Vanderbilt 5.Vanderbilt lived to age 82