William Henry Vanderbilt
William Henry Vanderbilt was an American businessman who lived in the 19th century. He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1821 and was the eldest son of Cornelius Vanderbilt. William Henry inherited his father’s fortune and went on to greatly expand the family’s wealth through investments in railroads and real estate. His investment in the New York and Harlem Railroad was instrumental in the development of New York City’s transportation system. He also invested in real estate, purchasing vast amounts of land in and around the city. In addition to his business savvy, William Henry Vanderbilt was also a philanthropist who made significant contributions to education and the arts. William Henry Vanderbilt died in 1885, leaving an estate valued at over $200 million.