William Henry Vanderbilt, American businessman and philanthropist (born 1821)

William Henry Vanderbilt

American businessman (1821–1885)

William Henry Vanderbilt was an American businessman and railroad magnate. Known as "Billy", he was the eldest son of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, an heir to his fortune and a prominent member of the Vanderbilt family. Vanderbilt became the richest American after he took over…