How Did Cornelius Vanderbilt's Life Influenced The American Dream

How would your early life influence your dreams? Raised in a family with diminutive resources, Cornelius Vanderbilt is a prime example of one who worked hard and moved from poverty to prosperity. In his lifetime, Vanderbilt became not only an innovative force but also a prosperous and powerful businessman. When questioned about his personal education, Vanderbilt once said, “If I had learned education, I would not have had time to learn anything else.” Cornelius Vanderbilt took the shipping and the rail industry to the next level, which provided valuable jobs and changed the lives of the American people. Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt was born on May 27, 1794, in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York, to Cornelius van Derbilt and Phebe Hand. The Vanderbilt family was poor and had very meager means; therefore, young Cornelius experienced the disillusionment of being indigent. His parents were Dutch, and due to their erudition, they followed a different set of values than Americans, therefore Vanderbilt’s father …show more content…
Some of his best propositions included designing New York’s Grand Central Terminal and establishing the Accessory Transit Company (Industrial). Vanderbilt not only made a name for himself, but also became one of the world’s greatest business magnates and philanthropists. In addition to the accolades he received for running multiple hugely successful businesses, Vanderbilt also became recognized as one of the most affluent figures in history. Posthumously, Vanderbilt was inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame, acknowledging his notable contributions to the rail industry