VANDEBBILT 160 VANDEBBILT UNIVEBSITY of the orthodox faith. Their rule in Africa was destroyed by Belisarius, and the entire nation had disappeared from that continent 558. Hence, a person ignorant and barbarous, and hostile to the progress of the arts and literature. VANDEBBILT, COBNELIUS, an American capitalist; born near Staple- ton, Staten Island, N. Y., May 27, 1794; early engaged in steamboat transporta- tion between Staten Island and New York and so enlarged his business that he soon gained the complete control of the New York and Staten Island lines. Later he started steamboats in various waters — the Hudson, the Delaware, Long Island Sound, etc.; established steamboat and other connections be- tween New York and California; and by 1864 was the owner or controller of nearly the whole water transportation in and about New York. In that year, however, he withdrew his capital from shipping and invested it in railroads. He secured the management of one rail- road after another and in 1877 con- trolled stocks representing an aggregate capital of $150,000,000, of which he owned fully one-half. In 1861 he pre- sented the swift $800,000 steamship "Vanderbilt" to the United States Gov- ernment to be used for the capture of Confederate privateers and in 1873 founded the Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., with $500,000, after- ward increased to $700,000. At the time of his death in New York City, Jan. 4, 1877, his fortune was estimated at nearly $100,000,000. VANDEBBILT, COBNELIUS, an American capitalist; born in New Dorp, Staten Island, N. Y., Nov. 27, 1843; a son of William Henry; was assistant treasurer of the Harlem railroad in 1865- 1867; treasurer in 1867-1877; first vice- president of the New York Central rail- road in 1877-1885; and chief director of the Vanderbilt system of railroads in 1885-1895, when he retired from busi- ness because of failing health. He united with his brothers in a gift of $250,000 for the erection of the Vander- bilt Clinic of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1896; presented an ad- dition costing $250,000 to St. Bartho- lomew's Home in New York City; gave Rosa Bonheur's painting, "The Horse Fair," to the Metropolitan Museum of Art; and was the donor of $100,000 to the fund of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine. "Van- derbilt Hall" to Yale University, and large sums of money to various chari- table, religious, and public institutions. He died in New York City, Sept. 12, 1899. VANDEBBILT, COBNELIUS, III, an American soldier and capitalist; the son of Cornelius Vanderbilt. He graduated from Yale in 1895, and at once became a director in many important financial institutions. He was actively associated in the work of the National Guard in New York City, and at the entrance of the United States in the war with Germany he was appointed colonel of the 102d United States Engineers. In 1918, he was appointed brigadier-gen- eral in the National Army. He saw service in France, and at the conclusion of the war was appointed brigadier- general of the Officers' Reserve Corps. VANDEBBILT, WILLIAM HENBY, an American capitalist; bora in New Brunswick, N. J., May 8, 1821 ; son of the first Cornelius; appointed vice-president of the Hudson River railroad in 1864 and later of the New York Central rail- road; and on the death of his father be- came president of these railroads, to- gether with the Lake Shore and the Michigan Central. Subsequently he se- cured control of the Chicago and North- western and of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railroads and also obtained connections with the New York, Chicago and St. Louis and West Shore railroads. He resigned his various offices, because of failing health, in 1883 and placed his affairs in charge of his son Cornelius. Among his public benefactions were the removal of the obelisk from Egypt to Central Park, New York City, and the gift of $200,000 to the Vanderbilt University fund. He died in New York City, Dec. 8, 1885. VANDEBBILT UNIVEBSITY, an American educational institution in Nashville, Tenn., originally founded un- der the name of Central University in 1873 It was the outgrowth of a move- men^ in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for higher education. When the first endeavor to secure the means for its establishment was unsuccess- ful, and the movement seemed to fail entirely, Cornelius Vanderbilt, of New York City, donated $500,000, in con- sideration of which the institution was named Vanderbilt University. Later Mr. Vanderbilt increased his gift to $1,- 000,000, and his son, William H. Vander- bilt, gave sums amounting in all to $450,000. The university has seven distinct departments, including the academic, medical, theological pharma- ceutical, law, dental, and engineering. Reports at the close of 1919 showed: Professors and instructors, 145 ; students, 785; funds, $1,300,000; president, J. H, Kirkland, LL. D., Ph. D.
