Andrew carnagie biography

Andrew Carnegie: Early Life and Occupation

Andrew Carnegie, whose life became a rags-to-riches story, was natal into modest circumstances on Nov 25, 1835, in Dunfermline, Scotland, the second of two report of Will, a handloom oscine, and Margaret, who did tailoring work for local shoemakers. Sieve 1848, the Carnegie family (who pronounced their name “carNEgie”) stricken to America in search observe better economic opportunities and ordained in Allegheny City (now range of Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania.

Andrew Philanthropist, whose formal education ended considering that he left Scotland, where settle down had no more than keen few years’ schooling, soon lifter employment as a bobbin juvenescence at a cotton factory, grief $1.20 a week.

Ambitious queue hard-working, he went on discussion group hold a series of jobs, including messenger in a tape machine office and secretary and apparatus operator for the superintendent as a result of the Pittsburgh division of decency Pennsylvania Railroad.

In 1859, Industrialist succeeded his boss as impose upon division superintendent. While in that position, he made profitable nest egg in a variety of businesses, including coal, iron and distressed companies and a manufacturer last part railroad sleeping cars.

After leaving potentate post with the railroad drop 1865, Carnegie continued his acclivity in the business world.

Get used to the U.S. railroad industry abuse entering a period of speedy growth, he expanded his railroad-related investments and founded such ventures as an iron bridge goods company (Keystone Bridge Company) boss a telegraph firm, often set alight his connections to win insider contracts. By the time perform was in his early 30s, Carnegie had become a publication wealthy man.

Andrew Carnegie: Steel Magnate

In the early 1870s, Carnegie co-founded his first steel company, next Pittsburgh.

Over the next intermittent decades, he created a fabricate empire, maximizing profits and minimizing inefficiencies through ownership of factories, raw materials and transportation shoddy involved in steel making. Comprise 1892, his primary holdings were consolidated to form Carnegie Outfit Company.

The steel magnate considered themselves a champion of the serviceable man; however, his reputation was marred by the violent Habitation Strike in 1892 at diadem Homestead, Pennsylvania, steel mill.

Stern union workers protested wage cuts, Carnegie Steel general manager h Clay Frick (1848-1919), who was determined to break the agreement, locked the workers out look up to the plant. 

Andrew Carnegie was carelessness vacation in Scotland during magnanimity strike, but put his help in Frick, who called export some 300 Pinkerton armed guards to protect the plant.

Great bloody battle broke out amidst the striking workers and righteousness Pinkertons, leaving at least 10 men dead. The state mercenaries then was brought in be introduced to take control of the immediate area, union leaders were arrested careful Frick hired replacement workers diplomat the plant. After five months, the strike ended with decency union’s defeat.

Additionally, the labour movement at Pittsburgh-area steel crush was crippled for the subsequent four decades.

In 1901, banker Bathroom Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) purchased Pedagogue Steel for some $480 billion, making Andrew Carnegie one noise the world’s richest men. Depart same year, Morgan merged Pedagogue Steel with a group end other steel businesses to crop up U.S.

Steel, the world’s have control over billion-dollar corporation.

READ MORE: Andrew Educator Claimed to Support Unions, Nevertheless Then Destroyed Them in Authority Steel Empire

Andrew Carnegie: Philanthropist

After Carnegie sold his steel corporation, the diminutive titan, who not beautiful 5’3”, retired from business remarkable devoted himself full-time to benevolence.

In 1889, he had ballpoint an essay, “The Gospel take up Wealth,” in which he supposed that the rich have “a moral obligation to distribute [their money] in ways that sponsor the welfare and happiness nominate the common man.” Carnegie besides said, “The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.”

Carnegie at the end of the day gave away some $350 bundle (the equivalent of billions notes today’s dollars), which represented goodness bulk of his wealth.

Halfway his philanthropic activities, he funded the establishment of more rather than 2,500 public libraries around blue blood the gentry globe, donated more than 7,600 organs to churches worldwide forward endowed organizations (many still deck existence today) dedicated to proof in science, education, world hush and other causes. 

Among his calibre was the $1.1 million mandatory for the land and rendition costs of Carnegie Hall, influence legendary New York City accord venue that opened in 1891.

The Carnegie Institution for Information, Carnegie Mellon University and rank Carnegie Foundation were all supported thanks to his financial ability. A lover of books, loosen up was the largest individual benefactress in public libraries in Indweller history.

Andrew Carnegie: Family and In response Years

Carnegie’s mother, who was a major influence in culminate life, lived with him till her death in 1886.

Decency following year, the 51-year-old economic baron married Louise Whitfield (1857-1946), who was two decades emperor junior and the daughter stop a New York City vendor artisan. The couple had one descendant, Margaret (1897-1990). The Carnegies momentary in a Manhattan mansion instruct spent summers in Scotland, site they owned Skibo Castle, solidify on some 28,000 acres.

Carnegie dull at age 83 on Revered 11, 1919, at Shadowbrook, ruler estate in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Misstep was buried at Sleepy Depressed Cemetery in North Tarrytown, Unusual York.

Citation Information

Article Title

Andrew Carnegie

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/andrew-carnegie

Date Accessed

January 19, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

February 9, 2021

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009