1. 1794-1877 Cornelius Vanderbilt

2. Background and Education Ill-educated, ungrammatical Born in Staten Island, NY As a boy, he worked with his father, who operated a boat that ferried between Staten Island and Manhattan

3. Early Jobs Worked with his father a boy Steamship captain Went into the steamboat business in 1820  Eventually became one the largest steamboat operators in the country

4. Method of becoming Wealthy In the 1860s he went into the railroad business He had superior railways at lower rates He modernized the railways  Made steel popular for the railroad tracks Expanded older Eastern railroads, like the New York Central He merged Central Railroad with the Hudson Important company: Steamboats and Railways

5. Philosophy of Business and Politics Reputation for being competitive and ruthless When told that the law stood in his way, he said: "Law! What do I care about law? Hain't I got the power?” "I won't sue you, for the law is too slow. I'll ruin you."

6. Philanthropy Donated $1 million to Nashville Central University --> Vanderbilt University Donated a steamboat to Union Navy Donated to churches around New York

7. Lasting Impact Helped popularize the use of steel for railroad tracks Impacted American transportation Influential in Industrial Revolution because of modernization of steamboats and railroads Vanderbilt University

8. Video http://www.biography.com/people/cornelius- vanderbilt-9515195