Andrew Carnegie

NAME Andrew Carnegie

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Andrew Carnegie is famous for being a leading industrialist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a major philanthropist, and one of the wealthiest individuals in history. He is known for his role in expanding the American steel industry and his extensive contributions to education and public libraries.

BIRTH Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835, in Dunfermline, Scotland.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Andrew Carnegie was born to William Carnegie, a handloom weaver, a profession in decline due to industrialization, and Margaret Morrison Carnegie. His family faced significant economic hardships, which led them to emigrate to the United States in 1848.

CHILDHOOD Carnegie grew up in a poor household, experiencing the struggles of poverty firsthand. At the age of thirteen, he began working in a cotton mill to supplement his family's income. His early experiences instilled in him a strong work ethic and a determination to improve his circumstances

EDUCATION Carnegie had limited formal education but was an avid reader and self-taught learner. He attended night school while working to educate himself further.

CAREER RECORD Carnegie started working as a bobbin boy in a cotton factory, then became a telegraph messenger boy, and eventually moved up to the position of superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He later founded the Carnegie Steel Company, which he sold to J.P. Morgan for $480 million in 1901, making him one of the wealthiest men of his time.

APPEARANCE Andrew Carnegie was of average height, with a stout build, blue eyes, and a full beard, which he often kept well-groomed. He had a distinctive Scottish accent that persisted throughout his life.

Carnegie, c. 1878

FASHION Carnegie preferred modest and practical clothing, reflecting his Scottish roots and thrifty nature, despite his immense wealth.

CHARACTER Carnegie was known for his determination, ambition, and strong work ethic. He was also noted for his generosity and commitment to philanthropy.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Carnegie had a keen sense of humor and enjoyed witty conversation, often using humor to diffuse tense situations.

He exchanged gag Christmas gifts with fellow billionaire entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller, such as a cardboard vest from Rockefeller and a fine whiskey from Carnegie, despite Rockefeller's abstinence from alcohol.

RELATIONSHIPS Carnegie did not want to marry during his mother's lifetime, instead choosing to take care of her in her illness towards the end of her life. After she died in 1886, the 51-year-old Carnegie married Louise Whitfield, who was 21 years his junior, on April 22, 1887 at her family's home in New York City in a private ceremony. Louise received a home and an annual income of approximately $20,000 as wedding gifts from her husband, along with stocks and bonds that amounted to an independent annual income.

They had one child, Margaret Carnegie Miller  whom they named after Carnegie's mother. 

Andrew Carnegie with his wife and their daughter  in 1910

He had a close relationship with his family and valued his friendships with notable figures such as Mark Twain.

MONEY AND FAME Carnegie amassed enormous wealth through his steel empire and became one of the most famous industrialists of his time. He was at one point so wealthy, his fortune represented 0.6% of the entire US GDP.

Despite being of the richest westerners ever, Carnegie never carried any cash. He was once put off a London train because he did not have the fare.

His fame was also bolstered by his philanthropic efforts.  By the time of his death, Carnegie had given away roughly 90% of his wealth, equivalent to about $65 billion in today's currency. He gave away $288 million ($4.22 billion today) to American charities alone.

Andrew Carnegie was, by all accounts, a man of extraordinary contradictions. Born into a world of grinding poverty in Scotland, he’d somehow managed to amass a fortune that would make a pirate blush. Starting life as a wee lad toiling in a cotton mill, he’d ended up as the king of American steel. It’s a story so improbable, so utterly American, that it’s almost hard to believe.

But while he was busy becoming the richest man in the world, something rather peculiar happened to Carnegie. He started to feel guilty. I mean, really guilty. The more money he made, the more he seemed to obsess about how to spend it. Unlike most of his robber baron buddies who were quite happy to hoard their loot, Carnegie went on a monumental spending spree, but with a twist. Instead of yachts and diamond-encrusted cufflinks, he bought libraries, universities, and peace palaces.

He was, you see, a man possessed by the notion that the rich had a moral duty to give away their money. This was a radical idea in a time when the only acceptable use of wealth seemed to be spending it on oneself. Carnegie, however, was convinced that he was the world’s greatest philanthropist, even if he did say so himself. He showered cash on just about anything that sounded vaguely noble – from curing diseases to preventing wars. The result was a bewildering array of foundations, trusts, and institutions, all bearing his name.

In the end, Carnegie managed to give away nearly all his fortune. It was a staggering act of generosity, even if it did come with a hefty side order of self-promotion. But there’s no denying that his money left a lasting mark on the world. So, while we might chuckle at his pomposity, we should also tip our hats to the man who turned industrialist into something resembling a modern-day saint.

FOOD AND DRINK Carnegie enjoyed simple, wholesome meals and was not known for indulgence in extravagant foods or drinks.

MUSIC AND ARTS Carnegie was a patron of the arts, particularly music. He funded the construction of Carnegie Hall in New York City, which opened on May 5, 1891, with an inaugural concert conducted by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, setting the stage for the hall's prestigious future.

LITERATURE Carnegie was an avid reader and writer. He authored several books and articles, including his famous essay The Gospel of Wealth, published in 1889 in the North American Review and in Britain in the Pall Mall Gazette. In this essay, he outlined his belief that a successful businessman should devote the first part of his life to accumulating wealth and the second to distributing it, stating, “a man who dies rich, dies disgraced.”

NATURE Carnegie enjoyed spending time in nature, particularly at his Scottish estate, Skibo Castle, where he engaged in outdoor activities.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Carnegie enjoyed golf, which he played regularly, and he was also fond of traveling and exploring different cultures.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Carnegie supported scientific research and education through his philanthropic efforts, funding institutions like the Carnegie Institution for Science.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Carnegie was influenced by Scottish Enlightenment thinkers and believed in the idea of progress and human potential. His philanthropic philosophy was rooted in The Gospel of Wealth, the idea that the rich have a moral duty to use their wealth for the benefit of society.

He was a skeptic of organized religion but valued moral and ethical principles. An evolutionist., he believed that society was progressing beyond the need for wars towards a time of universal peace, spiritual idealism, and prosperity for all.

POLITICS Carnegie was involved in politics, advocating for peace and the abolition of war. He supported various social and political causes, including the establishment of the Hague Court of Arbitration.

SCANDAL Carnegie's career was not without controversy. The Homestead Strike of 1892, a violent labor dispute at one of his steel plants, significantly tarnished his reputation despite his absence from direct involvement.

MILITARY RECORD Carnegie was a strong advocate for peace and used his wealth to promote international harmony and conflict resolution.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Carnegie maintained good health throughout most of his life, attributed to his active lifestyle and engagement in sports like golf.

HOMES Carnegie owned several homes, including his primary residence in New York City and his estate, Skibo Castle, in Scotland. Louise Whitfield Carnegie received a home at 5 West 51st Street in New York City as a wedding gift from her husband.

Andrew Carnegie at Skibo, 1914

TRAVEL Carnegie was an avid traveler, visiting various countries around the world. His travels influenced his philanthropic ideas and cultural appreciation.

DEATH Andrew Carnegie died on August 11, 1919, in Lenox, Massachusetts, at the age of 83. He was buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York. 

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Andrew Carnegie has been a subject of interest in various forms of media, reflecting his significant impact on industry and philanthropy. Here are some notable appearances:

Books

Andrew Carnegie by David Nasaw (2006): This comprehensive biography delves into Carnegie's life, exploring his rise from poverty to becoming a leading industrialist and philanthropist.

The Tycoons by Charles R. Morris (2006): This book profiles several of America's great industrialists, including Carnegie, and their influence on the country's economic development.

Meet You in Hell by Les Standiford (2005): This book focuses on the relationship between Carnegie and his business partner Henry Clay Frick, particularly during the turbulent times of the Homestead Strike.

Documentaries:

The American Experience: The Richest Man in the World: Andrew Carnegie (1997): A PBS television episode that examines Carnegie's life, his business strategies, and his transformation into a leading philanthropist

The Men Who Built America (2012): A History Channel miniseries that features Andrew Carnegie among other key industrial figures like John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and J.P. Morgan. The series highlights their contributions to America's growth and the complexities of their legacies.

Andrew Carnegie: Rags to Riches, Power to Peace (2007): A PBS documentary that provides an in-depth look at Carnegie's life, focusing on his business achievements and his later philanthropic efforts.

Titans of Industry (2016): This documentary film explores the lives of major industrialists, including Carnegie, emphasizing their innovations and the ethical questions surrounding their business practices.

ACHIEVEMENTS  Andrew Carnegie's achievements include the creation of the Carnegie Steel Company, extensive philanthropic contributions, and the establishment of numerous educational and cultural institutions. He funded the construction of almost 1,700 public libraries in the United States and over 800 abroad, believing this would give people the opportunity to better themselves. His total donations would equate to roughly $65 billion in today's currency, and he gave away $288 million ($4.22 billion today) to American charities alone. His legacy continues to impact society positively through the institutions and initiatives he established.