Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America

Whitney, C. V. (Cornelius Vanderbilt), 1899-1992

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role Collector Patron
dates 1899-1992
city New York City
stateNY
other citiesOld Westbury, NY; Saratoga, NY; Newport, RI; Obregon City, Mexico;
sex M
historical notes Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (February 20, 1899 - December 13, 1992) was an American businessman, film producer, writer, and government official, as well as the owner of a leading stable of thoroughbred racehorses.

Born in Roslyn, New York, he was the son of the wealthy and socially prominent Harry Payne Whitney (1870-1932) and Gertrude Vanderbilt (1875-1942). As a scion of both the Whitney and Vanderbilt families, he inherited a substantial fortune.

However, Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney proved to be a very capable businessman, using his connections to make investments that played an important role in the development of the American economy.

C.V. Whitney donated important artworks to various museums. Notable donations include the gift of a 1634 Anthony van Dyck painting of Henri II de Lorraine, 5e Duc de Guise, which had been in the Whitney family for three generations, to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. In 1953 Whitney donated the 1872 Thomas Eakins painting, The Biglin Brothers Racing, to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

decades
of activity
1930-1940
1940-1950
1950-1960
1960-1970
1970-1980
1980-1990
updated 10/31/2024 13:33:17
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Archives/Repository Collection Title Collection Details
Library of Congress
Manuscript Division
David E. Finley Papers, 1915-1977.
see details...
American Museum of Natural History
Library - Special Collections
Whitney Memorial Hall of Oceanic Birds ornithological museum photographs, 1930-1981. see details...

see also:
Harriman, Marie Norton Whitney, 1903-1970
Fabbri, Edith Shepard, 1872-1954