Thomas Clark Durant was an American investor and railroad executive. He played a pivotal role in the creation of the first railway that encompassed the western United States. He was serving as vice president of the Union Pacific railroad (UP) in 1869 when it was connected with the Central Pacific railroad at Promontory Summit in Utah territory. He set up the financial structure that resulted in the Crédit Mobilier scandal. Originally from Massachusetts, Durant became an extremely successful promoter by making railroads in the mid-west. After the formation of the UP in 1862 following an act of Congress, John A. Dix was appointed president and Durant vice president of the company. Durant was in charge of management and garnering funds. Using the money to which he had access at the time, he ensured the passage of a bill in 1864 that extended the land grants and the concessions that were allocated to the railroad. He set up and was initially in charge of the Crédit Mobilier of America, but brothers Oliver and Oakes Ames wrested control of the company away from him. Durant continued serving on the directorate of the Union Pacific, and aggressively advocated for the railroad until it was connected with the Central Pacific RR. He was subsequently forced to resign.