He attended Yale University, where he acquired a reputation for dissipation - and no diploma.
His first wife, whom he married on April 14, 1903, was Cathleen G. Neilson. They had a daughter, Cathleen (1904-1944), and were divorced in 1919.
His second wife, whom he married in 1923, was Gloria Laura Mercedes Morgan.
He ran through an inheritance of $15 million before he drank himself to death, leaving only a trust fund for his daughter Gloria Vanderbilt.
He died of liver failure due to alcohol abuse.
His widow lost custody of her daughter Gloria to Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney as the result of a famous custody battle.