William Kissam Vanderbilt II (March 2, 1878 – January 8, 1944) was a motor racing enthusiast and yachtsman and a member of the prominent United States Vanderbilt family.
Born in New York City, the second child and first son of William Kissam Vanderbilt and Alva Erskine Smith, he was known by the nickname "Willie K" and until his father died was labeled as Vanderbilt Jr. instead of the more formal Vanderbilt II. He was a brother to Harold Stirling...
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William Kissam Vanderbilt II (March 2, 1878 – January 8, 1944) was a motor racing enthusiast and yachtsman and a member of the prominent United States Vanderbilt family.
Born in New York City, the second child and first son of William Kissam Vanderbilt and Alva Erskine Smith, he was known by the nickname "Willie K" and until his father died was labeled as Vanderbilt Jr. instead of the more formal Vanderbilt II. He was a brother to Harold Stirling Vanderbilt and Consuelo Vanderbilt. Born to a life of luxury, he was raised in Vanderbilt mansions, traveled to Europe frequently, and sailed the globe on yachts owned by his father.
Vanderbilt was educated by tutors and at private schools and sent to study at Harvard University but dropped out after the first year. Although he developed an interest in horse racing and yachting, he was totally fascinated with automobiles. At age 10, during a stay in the south of France he had ridden in a steam-powered tricycle from Beaulieu-sur-Mer the 7...
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