George Henry Vanderbilt Cecil
Encyclopedia
George Henry Vanderbilt Cecil (born February 27, 1925) is the owner and operator of Biltmore Farms
. He is the first of two sons born to John Francis Amherst Cecil (1890–1954) and Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt
(1900–1976) and is the grandson of George Washington Vanderbilt II
, the founder of the Biltmore Estate
. He was educated in Europe
and served in the Royal Navy
during World War II
. Upon the death of his mother, Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt, George, as the oldest son, was given the choice of taking over Biltmore Farms (the family dairy) or the Estate. Leaving the Estate for his brother William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil
, George chose to take ownership of Biltmore Farms which, at the time, was much more profitable. Biltmore Farms had contuined to grow under George's management, transforming it into a profitable real estate business that serves the Asheville
area.
He has a distinct legacy as a direct descendant of both William Henry Vanderbilt
and, on his father's side, William Cecil
, the chief adviser to Queen Elizabeth I
in the sixteenth century.
Biltmore Farms
Founded in 1897 by George Washington Vanderbilt II, Biltmore Farms has evolved from one of the Southeast’s largest independent dairy producer to a community development firm. Son of William Henry Vanderbilt and grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, George W...
. He is the first of two sons born to John Francis Amherst Cecil (1890–1954) and Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt
Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt
Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt was the only child of George Washington Vanderbilt II and his wife Edith Stuyvesant Dresser.-Marriage and family:...
(1900–1976) and is the grandson of George Washington Vanderbilt II
George Washington Vanderbilt II
George Washington Vanderbilt II was a member of the prominent United States Vanderbilt family, which had amassed a huge fortune through steamboats, railroads, and various business enterprises. He built and owned Biltmore, the largest home in the United States.-Biography:The eighth son and youngest...
, the founder of the Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate
Biltmore House is a Châteauesque-styled mansion near Asheville, North Carolina, built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. It is the largest privately-owned home in the United States, at and featuring 250 rooms...
. He was educated in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Upon the death of his mother, Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt, George, as the oldest son, was given the choice of taking over Biltmore Farms (the family dairy) or the Estate. Leaving the Estate for his brother William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil
William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil
William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil is the younger son of John Francis Amherst Cecil and Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt . He is an operator of the Biltmore Estate through his company, The Biltmore Company. Cecil is a graduate of Harvard University...
, George chose to take ownership of Biltmore Farms which, at the time, was much more profitable. Biltmore Farms had contuined to grow under George's management, transforming it into a profitable real estate business that serves the Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
area.
He has a distinct legacy as a direct descendant of both William Henry Vanderbilt
William Henry Vanderbilt
William Henry Vanderbilt I was an American businessman and a member of the prominent Vanderbilt family.-Childhood:William Vanderbilt was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1821...
and, on his father's side, William Cecil
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572...
, the chief adviser to Queen Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
in the sixteenth century.