A Vanderbilt is a prominent American family of Dutch origin. GLORIA Vanderbilt was an American artist, author, actress, fashion designer, heiress, and socialite. She was a member of the prominent Vanderbilt family and mother to CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper. AMY Vanderbilt was an American author known for her books on etiquette and manners. She wrote the best-selling book, 'AMY Vanderbilt's Complete Book of Etiquette, ' which was published in 1952.