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Vanderbilt (WILLIAM HENRY an American)

WILLIAM HENRY, an American capitalist; born 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 railroad; and on the death of his father became president of these railroads, together with the Lake Shore and the Michigan Central. Subsequently he secured control of the Chicago and Northwestern 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. an VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, American educational institution in Nashville, Tenn., originally founded under the name of Central University in 1873. It was the outgrowth of a movement in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for higher education. When the first endeavor to secure the means for its establishment was unsuccessful, and the movement seemed to fail entirely, Cornelius Vanderbilt, of New York City, donated $500,000, in consideration of which the institution was named Vanderbilt University. Later Mr. Vanderbilt increased his gift to $

1,- 000,000, and his son, William H. Vanderbilt, gave sums amounting in all to $450,000. The university has distinct departments, including the academic, medical, theological pharmaceutical, 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. seven VANDERGRIFT