Voting Station

Harold Stirling Vanderbilt

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Heir

The Resume

    (July 6, 1884-July 4, 1970)
    Born in Oakdale, New York
    Great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt
    President of Vanderbilt University (1955-68)
    In yachting, successfully defended the America's Cup three times (1930-37)
    Developed the scoring system for contract bridge (1925)
    Named to the Bridge Hall of Fame (1964) and America's Cup Hall of Fame (1993)
    Namesake for Stirling Punch

Why he might be annoying:

    He was raised in mansions and on yachts.
    For some reason, his family and friends called him 'Mike.'
    He created the Vanderbilt Trophy for the winners of the North American Bridge Championship, then awarded it to himself twice (1932,1940).
    He was bumped from the executive committee of the New York Central Railroad, becoming the last family member to serve on the board of the company that Cornelius Vanderbilt founded (1954).

Why he might not be annoying:

    His youthful experience on the family yachts paid off with those America's Cup victories.
    His wife Gertrude was the first woman to be a full-fledged team member in an America's Cup race.
    He guided Vanderbilt University through an often contentious integration process.
    He donated $40 million to the university for scholarships, which he presumably did not have to do, since the whole place was already named for the family.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 16 Votes: 43.75% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 21 Votes: 47.62% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 21 Votes: 47.62% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 53 Votes: 66.04% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 86 Votes: 38.37% Annoying