Robber Baron: Andrew Carnegie by Elisabeth E Perry

Andrew Carnegie

Perry17 — 2016-01-25 19:45:34 UTC

An industrialist, philanthropist, and one of the richest people in the 19th century, as well as one of America's builders.

Life Story

Perry17 — 2016-01-25 19:45:55 UTC

Carnegie was born in 1835 Scotland, the son of a weaver and a shop owner. He arrived in Pittsburgh at the age of 13, due to his mother urging the family from their impoverished conditions in Scotland. He worked various jobs, and was eventually was hired as the secretary of the superintendent of the Pittsburgh section of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and he ended up succeeding his boss. During the Civil War he quit his job and began work for the Keystone Bridge Company. By 1889 he owned the word's largest steel company. He sold his business in 1901, to dedicate the rest of his life to family and philanthropy.

Industry

Perry17 — 2016-01-25 19:46:09 UTC

Carnegie started making prudent investments when he was working for the railroad. With that money he left to concentrate on other business and within 10 years he was mostly working in steel. The Carnegie Steel Company was humongous and highly innovative in its field. It stimulated the economy and made the country into what it is currently.

When the 20th century rolled around, Carnegie steel made more metal than Great Britain in its entirety.

Wealth

Perry17 — 2016-01-25 19:46:15 UTC

Andrew Carnegie first job was a position as a bobbin boy for $1.20 an week. He was eventually given work as a secretary for 35$ a month. And after working for the Keystone Bridge Company for a few years, he made $50,000 annually. Over the next few decades he went on earning unprecedented sums until, in the early 20th century, Carnegie sold his company for $480 million, making him the wealthiest person in the world.

Charitable Contributions

Perry17 — 2016-01-25 19:46:39 UTC

Carnegie hated charity-- he would rather help others help themselves. Therefore he used his wealth to establish thousands of libraries and support universities. At his death, he had donated over 350 million dollars.

sources

Perry17 — 2016-01-25 21:38:25 UTC

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carnegie/peopleevents/pande01.html

http://www.biography.com/people/andrew-carnegie-9238756#steel-tycoon