Cornelius Vanderbilt, also known as "the Commodore," was an American business magnate who built his wealth in railroads and shipping. He was born on May 27, 1794, in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York, and died on January 4, 1877, in New York City. Vanderbilt worked his way into leadership positions in the inland water trade and invested in the rapidly growing railroad industry, effectively transforming the geography of the United States. He gained control of the traffic on the Hudson River by cutting fares and offering unprecedented luxury on his ships, and then concentrated on the northeastern seaboard, offering transportation from Long Island to Providence and Boston. Vanderbilt was one of the richest Americans in history and the patriarch of the wealthy and influential Vanderbilt family. He provided the initial gift to found Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.