Vanderbilt was born in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York, on May 27, 1794. He started working on his father's ferryboat at the age of 16, and by the age of 20 he was running his own boat. In the 1820s, he began building steamboats, eventually becoming the largest steamboat operator in the United States.
In the 1830s, Vanderbilt turned his attention to railroads. He bought his first railroad in 1833, and by 1869 he had built a railroad empire that stretched from New York City to Chicago. He was also instrumental in the development of the New York Central Railroad, one of the most important railroads in the United States.
Vanderbilt was a ruthless businessman who was often accused of being unscrupulous. However, he was also a brilliant strategist and marketer, and he was able to build a vast fortune through his hard work and determination. He died in New York City on January 4, 1877.
Here are some of the things that Cornelius Vanderbilt did:
* He built a steamboat empire that made him the largest steamboat operator in the United States.
* He turned his attention to railroads in the 1830s and eventually built a railroad empire that stretched from New York City to Chicago.
* He helped develop the New York Central Railroad, one of the most important railroads in the United States.
* He was a ruthless businessman who was often accused of being unscrupulous.
* He was a brilliant strategist and marketer who was able to build a vast fortune through his hard work and determination.
