Library of Economics and Liberty masthead logo
 
Search EconLog
Recent Entries
Browse Archives
by date
by author
by category
Subscribe
About EconLog
Frequently Asked Questions
EconLog FAQ
Econlib Resources
About Econlib
Contact Econlib
Quote of the Day
Birthdays & Commemorations
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Econlib Newsletter
Subscribe to EconLog
XML (Full articles)
RDF (Excerpts)
Feedburner (One-click subscriptions)
More
FAQ (Instructions and more options)
Return to top
Articles EconLog EconTalk Books Encyclopedia Guides Search
Bryan Caplan  
PERMANENT LINK | APRIL 17, 2006

Trains versus Tulips

Bryan Caplan
Scientific Consensus or Religi... Free Trade Equals Redistributi...

I just got back from a relaxing trip to the famous Vanderbilt mansion, the Biltmore, in Asheville, North Carolina. The mansion was constructed at the behest of George Vanderbilt, grandson of shipping and rail magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. Biltmore is especially beautiful this time of year - they're having their Festival of Flowers, and there are tulips as far as the eye can see.

Still, it's striking to me that George Vanderbilt gets praised to the skies for his pet project. All he really did was spend a pile of his forebears' money. And how much credit goes to Grandpa Cornelius, the man who actually earned the family fortune? Virtually none. All I saw was one homely portrait.

CATEGORIES: Economic Philosophy


COMMENTS (6 to date)
Bruce Cleaver writes:

I'll second Bryan's enthusiasm for the Biltmore Estate. If you haven't been (I've gone three times now) you are missing out on a staggering experience.

Posted April 17, 2006 7:23 PM
ricardo writes:

And their wine cellars are a fine place to round off a visit.

Posted April 17, 2006 8:30 PM
chippy writes:

In this post, the spirit of Ayn Rand lives on!

Nevertheless, I find your belief in the idea that money can be "earned" to be hopelessly bourgeois, incorrigibly naive, but ultimately quite endearing.

Posted April 18, 2006 5:52 AM
Mcwop writes:

I also recommend that folks visit the Vanderbilt ocean home, the Breakers, in Newport, RI. In fact there are quite a few great mansions to check out there.

Posted April 18, 2006 6:49 AM
Phil writes:

See? We need a bigger inheritance tax!

Posted April 18, 2006 5:41 PM
Zac writes:

The American way.. its evil to make money, but noble and patriotic to spend it.

Posted April 19, 2006 9:20 AM
Comments for this entry have been closed
Return to top
Copyright © 2006-2008
Liberty Fund, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Blogging software: Powered by Movable Type 4.2.1.
Pictures of Bryan Caplan and Arnold Kling courtesy of the authors.
All opinions expressed on EconLog reflect those of the author or individual commenters, and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the Library of Economics and Liberty (Econlib) website or its owner, Liberty Fund, Inc.

Liberty Fund logo, amagi symbol
The cuneiform inscription in the Liberty Fund logo is the earliest-known written appearance of the word "freedom" (amagi), or "liberty." It is taken from a clay document written about 2300 B.C. in the Sumerian city-state of Lagash.
spacer gif