Andrew Carnegie
Early Life and Background
Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835, in Dunfermline, Scotland, to William Carnegie, a handloom weaver, and Margaret Morrison Carnegie. The family lived in relative poverty, and in 1848, they emigrated to the United States in search of better opportunities. They settled in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where Carnegie's father found work in a cotton factory. Young Andrew began working at the age of 13 as a bobbin boy in a cotton mill, earning $1.20 per week.
Career Beginnings
Carnegie's career took a significant turn when he became a telegraph messenger boy for the Ohio Telegraph Company in Pittsburgh. His diligence and eagerness to learn quickly caught the attention of Thomas A. Scott of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In 1853, Scott hired Carnegie as his personal telegrapher and secretary, marking the beginning of Carnegie's ascent in the business world. By 1859, Carnegie had been promoted to superintendent of the Western Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Investment and Business Ventures
Carnegie's first major investment was in the Woodruff Sleeping Car Company, which manufactured sleeping cars for railroads. This investment proved highly profitable and laid the foundation for his future ventures. He continued to invest in various industries, including ironworks, bridges, and oil. In 1865, Carnegie founded the Keystone Bridge Company, which specialized in the construction of iron bridges.
Steel Industry and Carnegie Steel Company
Carnegie's most significant contribution to industry came with his entry into the steel business. In 1873, he established the Edgar Thomson Steel Works in Braddock, Pennsylvania, named after the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Carnegie's focus on efficiency and innovation, such as the adoption of the Bessemer process for steel production, allowed his company to produce high-quality steel at lower costs. This competitive edge enabled Carnegie Steel Company to dominate the American steel industry by the late 19th century.
Philanthropy and Legacy
Andrew Carnegie is perhaps best known for his extensive philanthropy. After selling Carnegie Steel Company to J.P. Morgan in 1901 for $480 million, he dedicated the rest of his life to charitable endeavors. Carnegie believed in the "Gospel of Wealth," the idea that the rich have a moral obligation to distribute their wealth for the greater good of society. He donated vast sums to various causes, including the establishment of public libraries, educational institutions, and cultural organizations.
Carnegie's notable philanthropic contributions include the founding of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, D.C., and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He also funded the construction of over 2,500 public libraries worldwide, known as Carnegie libraries.
Personal Life and Beliefs
Carnegie married Louise Whitfield in 1887, and they had one daughter, Margaret Carnegie. Despite his immense wealth, Carnegie maintained a relatively modest lifestyle. He was a staunch advocate for world peace and supported various peace initiatives, including the establishment of the Hague Tribunal.
Carnegie's beliefs were deeply influenced by his reading of works by philosophers and economists such as Herbert Spencer and John Stuart Mill. He was a proponent of Social Darwinism, which applied the concept of "survival of the fittest" to human society and economics. However, his philanthropic efforts demonstrated a commitment to improving societal conditions and providing opportunities for the less fortunate.
Death and Posthumous Recognition
Andrew Carnegie passed away on August 11, 1919, at his summer home in Lenox, Massachusetts. His legacy endures through the numerous institutions and initiatives he funded, which continue to contribute to education, science, and culture. Carnegie's life and work remain subjects of study and admiration, reflecting his complex character as both a ruthless industrialist and a generous philanthropist.