Cornelius Vanderbilt

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Lore & Background

Cornelius Vanderbilt II was born on November 27, 1843, on Staten Island, New York to William Henry Vanderbilt and Maria Louisa Kissam. He was educated at Columbia College. Vanderbilt established a reputation for a strong work ethic while clerking at the Shoe and Leather Bank in New York City, which endeared him to his grandfather, the 'Commodore,' who was a strong believer in personal industry. On February 4, 1867, he married Alice Claypoole Gwynne (1845–1934), daughter of Abraham Evan Gwynne and Rachel Moore Flagg, whom he met at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church where both taught Sunday school. Together they had seven children: Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt (1869–1874), who died of a childhood illness at age five; William Henry Vanderbilt II (1870–1892), who died of typhoid fever while attending Yale University; Cornelius "Neily" Vanderbilt III (1873–1942), whom his father disinherited for marrying Grace Graham Wilson without his approval; Gertrude Vanderbilt (1875–1942), who married Harry Payne Whitney; Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt (1877–1915), who died aboard the RMS Lusitania; Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt (1880–1925); and Gladys Moore Vanderbilt (1886–1965), who married Count László Széchenyi. A stroke in 1896 compelled him to reduce his active business involvement. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage shortly after 6 a.m. on September 12, 1899, at his home on West Fifty-seventh Street in Manhattan, New York City. Upon his death, family leadership passed to his first brother, William Kissam Vanderbilt.

Reader's Guide

Vanderbilt's philanthropy was such that he did not increase the wealth left to him. His estate at death was appraised at $72,999,867, $20 million of which was real estate. In the weeks following his death, his will sparked controversy when it was revealed that his eldest surviving son, Cornelius Vanderbilt III, received a substantially smaller share than his siblings. The final will bore the date June 18, 1896, the same day originally intended for Cornelius III's wedding to Grace Wilson despite his parents' disapproval. Under the terms, his widow Alice received an income of $250,000 annually from a $7,000,000 Trust Fund, plus $2,000,000 outright, the family's box at the Metropolitan Opera, a life interest in The Breakers in Newport, and a life interest in their Manhattan townhouse at 1 West 57th Street. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney received a $5,000,000 Trust Fund and $2,250,000 outright. Reginald and Gladys each received $1,250,000 and a $5,000,000 Trust Fund. Cornelius III received $500,000 outright and a $1,000,000 Trust Fund. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt received a $5,000,000 Trust Fund, $1,250,000 specifically, the Oakland Farm Estate in Rhode Island, and the residuary estate valued at $28,000,000 to $35,000,000. It became publicly known that Alfred gifted his brother Cornelius III $6,000,000 from his own inheritance. The will also provided $100,000 to his younger brother Frederick William Vanderbilt, and various churches and charities received $1,020,000. His 70-room summer residence, The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island, still stands as a historic house museum. Through his son Reginald, he was the grandfather of Gloria Laura Vanderbilt and great-grandfather of Anderson Hays Cooper. Through his son Alfred, he was the grandfather of William Henry Vanderbilt III, Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jr., and George Washington Vanderbilt III. Through his daughter Gladys, he was the grandfather of Hungarian-American heiress Alice Széchenyi.

Did You Know?

• Cornelius Vanderbilt II was the favorite grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who bequeathed him $5 million.
• He met his wife Alice Claypoole Gwynne at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church where both taught Sunday school.
• His son Cornelius Vanderbilt III was disinherited for marrying Grace Graham Wilson without his father's approval.
• His estate at death was appraised at $72,999,867, $20 million of which was real estate.
• The 1864 Congressional Gold Medal awarded to his grandfather was bequeathed to his son Alfred, and later donated to Vanderbilt University in 2022 by William H. Vanderbilt IV.