Private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1873 and named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided its initial $1 million endowment to help heal sectional wounds from the American Civil War. Founding member of the Southeastern Conference and the conference's only private school since 1966. Acquired Peabody College (formerly George Peabody College for Teachers) in 1979. In the early 1980s, was an early investor in Corrections Corporation of America (now CoreCivic) prior to its IPO. Affiliated with the nonprofit Vanderbilt University Medical Center; together, they employ more people than the largest private employer in Middle Tennessee.