This is the first modern biography of an American financial giant.Using previously unreleased archives, Edward J Renehan Jr narrates the compelling life of Cornelius Vanderbilt: wilful progenitor of modern American business. Vanderbilt made his initial fortune building ferry cargo routes for sailing vessels. Then he moved into steamboats and railroads. With the New York Central, Vanderbilt established the nation's first major integrated rail system, linking New York with Boston, Montreal, Chicago and St Louis. At the same time, he played a key role in establishing New York as the financial centre of the United States. When he died in 1877, Vanderbilt left a fortune that, in today's money, would dwarf that of even Bill Gates.Off Wall Street, Vanderbilt was a hard-drinking egotist and whoremonger devoid of manners of charity. He disinherited most of his numerous children and received an editorial rebuke from Mark Twain for his lack of public giving."Commodore" sheds startling new light on many aspects of Vanderbilt's business and private life including, most notably, the revelation that advanced-stage syphilis marred his last years.
This is the definitive biography of a man whose influence on American life and commerce towers over all who followed him.
- ISBN10 046501030X
- ISBN13 9780465010301
- Publish Date 14 April 2009 (first published 16 October 2007)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Basic Books
- Format eBook
- Pages 400
- Language English