Summary
Work History
Skills
Early Life
Timeline
Generic

Cornelius Vanderbilt

New York,NY

Summary

Titan of Industry that transformed the railroad industry by using foresight skills to get ahead of competition and rise to the top. Enhanced shipping and steamship industry by offering unprecedented luxuries at a low cost. Offered thousands of people jobs during the panic of 1873 and helped build America to be the greatest country in the world. One of the most successful men ever earning the title "Richest Man Alive" while dominating multiple industries.

Work History

Railroad Tycoon

Myself
  • Consolidated Hudson River Railroad and New York Central Railroad
  • Bought stock in New York and Harlem Railroad(Owned the line by 1863)
  • Lakeshore and Michigan Southern Railroad were the first rails to offer transit from New York City to Chicago
  • Built Grand Central Depot

Steamship/Shipping Magnate

Thomas Gibbons/Myself
  • During War of 1812, created small fleet of boats, which ferried passengers in between Staten Island and New York
  • Sold fleet and went to work for Thomas Gibbons as steamship captain
  • Quit and created ferry business
  • Gained control of Hudson River
  • Cut fares while incorporating unseen before luxuries on ships
  • Forced competitors to pay to move off Hudson River
  • Focused on transportation between Long Island, Providence, and Boston

Skills

  • Problem Solving
  • Leveraging Competition
  • Self-Starter
  • Independent
  • Foreseeing Business Opportunities

Early Life

  • Grew up poor
  • Father was a farmer and boatman
  • Quit school at 11 to work on boats
  • Learned about business, hard work, and how ruthless life and business can be
  • Fought under bridges to get tougher
  • Ran his own sailing enterprise at 16 and earned over $1,000 in his first year


Timeline

Railroad Tycoon

Myself

Steamship/Shipping Magnate

Thomas Gibbons/Myself

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Cornelius Vanderbilt