# Andrew Carnegie > Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist (1835–1919) **Wikidata**: [Q484265](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q484265) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Carnegie) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/andrew-carnegie ## Summary Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) was a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist who became one of the wealthiest individuals in history through his dominance in the American steel industry. He is most notably remembered for founding the Carnegie Steel Company and later dedicating his fortune to public causes, including the establishment of over 2,500 libraries and numerous educational and cultural institutions. ## Biography - Born: November 25, 1835, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland - Nationality: Scottish-American - Education: Largely self-educated; worked as a telegraph messenger boy and later as a railroad superintendent’s assistant - Known for: Founding the Carnegie Steel Company, becoming a leading industrialist, and later a major philanthropist - Employer(s): Pennsylvania Railroad, Carnegie Steel Company, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching - Field(s): Industrial steel production, philanthropy, education, peace advocacy ## Contributions Andrew Carnegie made significant contributions across multiple domains: - **Steel Industry**: Founded the Carnegie Steel Company in 1892, which became one of the largest steel manufacturers in the world. It was later merged into U.S. Steel in 1901, a deal orchestrated by J.P. Morgan. - **Philanthropy**: Established the Carnegie Corporation of New York (1911), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (1910), Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (1905), Carnegie Hall (1891), and funded over 2,509 Carnegie libraries globally. - **Publications**: Authored "The Gospel of Wealth" (1889), an influential essay advocating for the moral responsibility of the wealthy to give back to society. - **Education and Culture**: Founded Carnegie Mellon University (1900) and supported the creation of institutions like the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. - **Peace Advocacy**: Funded the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, and supported international arbitration efforts. ## FAQs ### Who was Andrew Carnegie? Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist who built the Carnegie Steel Company and became one of the wealthiest individuals in history. He later devoted his life to philanthropy, funding libraries, universities, and cultural institutions. ### What did Andrew Carnegie do for philanthropy? He established major institutions such as the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Carnegie Hall, and funded over 2,509 public libraries worldwide. He also supported scientific, educational, and cultural initiatives. ### What is "The Gospel of Wealth"? It is a seminal essay written by Andrew Carnegie in 1889, in which he argued that the wealthy have a moral obligation to use their resources to benefit society, laying the groundwork for modern philanthropy. ### What companies did Andrew Carnegie found or lead? He founded the Carnegie Steel Company in 1892, which became the largest steel producer in the world. He also played a key role in the Pennsylvania Railroad and later sold his steel interests to form U.S. Steel in 1901. ### What institutions did Andrew Carnegie fund? He funded the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and Carnegie Mellon University. ### What is the legacy of Andrew Carnegie? His legacy includes the transformation of the American steel industry, the establishment of a global network of libraries, and the promotion of peace, education, and scientific research through his philanthropy. ### What awards did Andrew Carnegie receive? He received the Bessemer Gold Medal, American Library Association Honorary Membership, and was posthumously honored in the Library Hall of Fame. ## Why They Matter Andrew Carnegie fundamentally transformed American industry by revolutionizing steel production and later reshaped global philanthropy by advocating for the moral use of wealth. His influence extended beyond business into education, peace, and culture, setting a precedent for modern philanthropy. His ideas, particularly in "The Gospel of Wealth," continue to influence how the ultra-wealthy approach social responsibility. ## Notable For - Founding the Carnegie Steel Company, which became the largest steel company in the world - Selling his steel interests to J.P. Morgan to form U.S. Steel in 1901 - Establishing over 2,509 public libraries worldwide - Founding the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Carnegie Mellon University - Authoring "The Gospel of Wealth" (1889), a foundational text in modern philanthropy - Funding the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands - Being posthumously inducted into the Library Hall of Fame - Receiving the Bessemer Gold Medal and American Library Association Honorary Membership - Establishing the Carnegie Medal for children's literature and the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction ## Body ### Early Life and Immigration Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835, in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. In 1848, his family emigrated to the United States, settling in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. He began working at age 13 as a telegraph messenger boy and later became a superintendent’s assistant for the Pennsylvania Railroad. His early exposure to the railroad industry laid the foundation for his future business ventures. ### Career in Industry Carnegie’s industrial career began in the railroad sector, where he gained experience in logistics and management. He later invested in ironworks, oil, and bridge construction. In 1892, he founded the Carnegie Steel Company, which became the largest and most profitable steel company in the world. His use of the Bessemer process and vertical integration allowed him to dominate the market. In 1901, he sold the company to J.P. Morgan, forming U.S. Steel, the world’s first billion-dollar corporation. ### Philanthropy and Legacy After selling his steel empire, Carnegie dedicated his life to philanthropy. He established the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 1911, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in 1910, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1905. He also funded over 2,509 public libraries globally, believing in the democratization of knowledge. His essay "The Gospel of Wealth" (1889) argued that the wealthy should redistribute their fortunes for public good, influencing modern philanthropy. ### Cultural and Educational Contributions Carnegie funded numerous institutions, including Carnegie Hall (1891), the Carnegie Museum of Art (1895), the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (1896), and Carnegie Mellon University (1900). He also supported the Peace Palace in The Hague, advocating for international arbitration and peace. His influence extended to the arts, education, and scientific research, shaping public discourse and policy. ### Personal Life and Death Carnegie was a lifelong bachelor and lived in New York and Scotland. He died on August 11, 1919, leaving behind a legacy of industrial innovation and philanthropy. His wealth and vision continue to impact global education, culture, and peace initiatives. ## References 1. BnF authorities 2. Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America 3. Integrated Authority File 4. [Source](https://www.newspapers.com/image/466222580/?terms=Andrew%2BCarnegie%2Brepublican) 5. Library of the World's Best Literature 6. [Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919). Find a Grave](https://nl.findagrave.com/memorial/173/andrew-carnegie) 7. International Standard Name Identifier 8. Virtual International Authority File 9. CiNii Research 10. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze 11. MusicBrainz 12. NNDB 13. National Register of Historic Places 14. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 15. SNAC 16. Find a Grave 17. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 18. Carnegie, Andrew 19. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana 20. GeneaStar 21. Babelio 22. Proleksis Encyclopedia 23. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 24. Swedish Open Cultural Heritage 25. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index3.html) 26. nobelprize.org 27. CONOR.SI 28. BBC Things 29. Quora 30. LIBRIS. 2004 31. KBpedia 32. Catalogo of the National Library of India