Cornelius ("Commodore") Vanderbilt 1794-1877

When Cornelius Vanderbilt lay dying in his bed in his New York mansion in 1877 he was comforted in the knowledge that he was dying the richest man in the country. His whole life had been spent accumulating large amounts of money, first through shipping, then through railroad acquisitions. He was the first to admit of his obsession, which had driven him since he was a boy, "I've been insane on the subject of money making all my life" (Vanderbilt, 1989, p.27). His life was consumed with the soul purpose of making millions and spending very little. He was one of the first of the robber barons of the 19th century and lived up to that reputation. In an exerpt of Mark Twain's "Open letter to Commodore Vanderbilt" (Packard's Monthly) he expresses his disdain:
How my heart goes out in sympathy to you! …