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Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt IBusinessman, athlete and philanthropist
Date of Birth: 20.10.1877
Country:  Ireland |
Content:
- Early Life and Family
- Inheritance and Business Acumen
- Divorce and Second Marriage
- A Life in Sports
- The Lusitania Disaster
- A Tragic Ironic Twist
Early Life and Family
Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt I, born on October 20, 1877, inherited his prominent lineage from his grandfather, shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. As the son of Cornelius II and Alice Claypoole Gwynne, he belonged to the illustrious Vanderbilt dynasty. Alfred attended the prestigious St. Paul's School and Yale University, where he joined the exclusive Skull & Bones society.
Inheritance and Business Acumen
After the untimely deaths of his elder brothers, Alfred became the primary beneficiary of his father's fortune. He inherited a vast empire that included railroad companies and the Pullman Palace Car Company. With his newfound wealth, he married the affluent Ellen French in 1901, solidifying his place among the elite.
Divorce and Second Marriage
Alfred's marriage hit a tumultuous end when Ellen filed for divorce in 1908, alleging infidelity. The scandal shook society, leading to Agnes O'Brien Ruiz's suicide and Ellen's subsequent remarriage. In 1911, Alfred remarried the wealthy socialite Margaret Emerson in London. Their union produced two sons, Alfred Gwynne II and George Washington III.
A Life in Sports
Vanderbilt was an avid sportsman, indulging in fox hunting and competitive driving. He pursued these activities with an enthusiasm for traditional English customs and joined a prominent club of elite sportsman. Alfred's love for fox hunting ultimately led to his tragic demise.
The Lusitania Disaster
On May 1, 1915, Vanderbilt boarded the RMS Lusitania, bound for Liverpool on a business trip. On May 7, the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine off the coast of Ireland. Vanderbilt and his valet, Ronald Denyer, selflessly helped others board lifeboats. In a courageous act of sacrifice, Alfred gave his life vest to a woman with a child, even though he could not swim. Both he and Denyer perished in the disaster.
A Tragic Ironic Twist
Ironically, in April 1912, Vanderbilt had narrowly avoided boarding the ill-fated RMS Titanic. This cruel twist of fate marked the end of a life characterized by wealth, philanthropy, and ultimately, selfless heroism.
