Deaths on December 8

William Henry Vanderbilt

Died on December 8, 1885

William Henry Vanderbilt, American businessman and philanthropist (b. 1821)

William Henry "Billy" Vanderbilt (May 8, 1821 – December 8, 1885) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was the eldest son of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, an heir to his fortune and a prominent member of the Vanderbilt family. Vanderbilt became the richest American after he took over his father's fortune in 1877 until his own death in 1885, passing on a substantial part of the fortune to his wife and children, particularly to his sons Cornelius II and William. He inherited nearly $100 million from his father. The fortune had doubled when he died less than nine years later.

References

William Henry Vanderbilt

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Events on 1885

24 Apr

Buffalo Bill's Wild West
American sharpshooter Annie Oakley is hired by Nate Salsbury to be a part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West.
2 May

Léopold II of Belgium
The Congo Free State is established by King Léopold II of Belgium.
3 Jun

Big Bear
In the last military engagement fought on Canadian soil, the Cree leader, Big Bear, escapes the North-West Mounted Police.
6 Jul

Rabies
Louis Pasteur successfully tests his vaccine against rabies on Joseph Meister, a boy who was bitten by a rabid dog.
29 Aug

Internal combustion
Gottlieb Daimler patents the world's first internal combustion motorcycle, the Reitwagen.

Deaths on December 8

William Henry Vanderbilt

Died on December 8, 1885

References

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Events on 1885

Buffalo Bill's Wild West

Léopold II of Belgium

Big Bear

Rabies

Internal combustion