In the 19th century, Cornelius Vanderbilt amassed great wealth through his steamship and railroad ventures. Best remembered for building the New York Central Railroad, Vanderbilt’s name has gone down in history as one of the greatest entrepreneurs in U.S. history. Readers will learn why through this biographical text, which uses historical context, detailed photographs, and fundamental social studies concepts to enumerate the details and accomplishments of Vanderbilt’s life. A timeline and primary sources provide opportunities for additional learning.