The Vanderbilt family is an American family known for their significant wealth and influence during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The family's fortune began with Cornelius Vanderbilt, who made his wealth in shipping and railroads. He founded the New York Central Railroad, which became one of the largest and most important rail networks in the United States. The Vanderbilts were prominent patrons of the arts and education, contributing to institutions like Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Their legacy includes grand mansions, such as The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island, which reflect their opulent lifestyle and social status during the Gilded Age.