Harold Stirling Vanderbilt

AKA:

Mike

Birth Name:

Birth Date:

July 6, 1884

Birth Place:

Oakdale, New York

Death Date:

July 4, 1970

Place of Death:

Newport, Rhode Island

Age:

Cemetery Name:

Saint Mary's Episcopal Churchyard and Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Business and Finance

Harold Stirling Vanderbilt was an American railroad executive, a champion yachtsman, an innovator and champion player of contract bridge, and a member of the Vanderbilt family. Vanderbilt was a director of the New York Central Railroad from 1913 and was a driving force behind the rail network until he was defeated for the control of the company in 1954. He was also known as a card game enthusiast. In 1925, while on board SS Finland, he originated changes to the scoring system through which the game of contract bridge supplanted auction bridge in popularity. He also served as commodore of the New York Yacht Club from 1922 to 1924, and won six "King's Cups" and five Astor Cups at regattas between 1922 and 1938. Mr. Vanderbilt, who stood 6 feet tall, was a commanding figure whether at the helm of a Cup defender or on the tennis court, where he was also an excellent performer. Unlike many of the local wealthy families, he showed little interest in the social events of Newport.

Fun Fact

In 1963, Vanderbilt assisted the Preservation Society of Newport County in acquiring the Marble House summer estate in Newport. The Marble House was sold by his mother more than thirty years earlier. Successful in their bid, the property was converted into a museum and has been open to the public since the mid-1960s. Many documents and artifacts related to the life of Harold Sterling Vanderbilt are preserved and on display at the Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Saint Mary's Episcopal Churchyard and Cemetery

324 East Main Road

Portsmouth, Rhode Island, 02871

USA

North America

Grave Location:

Vanderbilt Family Plot

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery off of East Main Road, make the first right and the stay left around the back of the church. Turn right at the back of the old church and drive almost to the intersection. Look to your left for a 3-foot hedge surrounding two family plots and park. The plot on the right is socialite Sunny Von Bulow. Now walk to your look to your right and walk approximately 150 feet (and 100 feet from the border road on your left) and look for the upright monument with the name “Scharstrom Nuttali” and right behind that monument is Harold and Gertrude Vanderbilt.