1. Cornelius Vanderbilt Cornelius Vanderbilt Roger Jurman

2. Who was he? 0 Also known as Commodore Vanderbilt 0 Reputation for being fiercely competitive and ruthless 0 Industrialist in railroads and shipping 0 Born on May 27, 1794 and died on January 4, 1877(82years old) 0 He was born in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York. 0 Owned largest fortune in the U.S. at the time of his death. (wealth was more than $100 million, which now would make around $190billion)

3. Success in one sentence 0 He began a passenger ferry business in New York harbor with one boat, then started his own steamship company, eventually controlling Hudson River traffic.

4. Success step by step 0 As a boy, worked with his father 0 As a teen he transported cargo with his own periauger 0 Acquired fleet of small boats and learned about ship design. 0 Worked as a ferry captain 0 In late 1820s started building his own steamships and operating ferry lines around NY region. 0 In the 1860s, Vanderbilt shifted his focus to the railroad industry

5. Just something 0 Married with his cousin and had 13 children with her. 0 Wife died, married with another cousin. 0 Built his massive fortune on sheer determination, will and belief 0 He only had formal schooling through the age of 11

6. The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt