Cornelius is an evolved common chimpanzee, the youngest son of the late Caesar and the late Cornelia, and the younger brother of the late Blue Eyes. Through his father, Cornelius is the youngest grandson of the late Bright Eyes, and the late Alpha, as well as the youngest adoptive grandson of Will Rodman and Caroline Aranha, and the youngest adoptive great-grandson of the late Charles Rodman. He was second-in-line to inherit the colony after his older brother. Following the deaths of his parents and brother, Cornelius is now the sole heir to Caesar's throne.