Andrew Carnegie

25 November 1835 – 11 August 1919

Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-born American industrialist who led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and became one of the richest men in history. After selling Carnegie Steel in 1901, he devoted his fortune to philanthropy, funding thousands of public libraries, universities, and peace institutions.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Andrew Carnegie.

Life events

Born in Dunfermline, Scotland
25 November 1835

Carnegie was born in a weaver's cottage to handloom weaver William Carnegie and Margaret Morrison.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Emigrated with his family to Allegheny, Pennsylvania
1848

Economic hardship drove the Carnegies to emigrate to the United States, settling near Pittsburgh.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Rose from telegraph messenger to superintendent at the Pennsylvania Railroad
1853 – 1865

Carnegie worked as a bobbin boy and telegraph operator before Thomas A. Scott hired him at the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he became superintendent of the Pittsburgh Division.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Opened the Edgar Thomson Steel Works
1875

Carnegie's Bessemer-process steel mill at Braddock, Pennsylvania, anchored what grew into the Carnegie Steel Company.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Louise Whitfield
22 April 1887

Carnegie married Louise Whitfield in New York City; their only child, Margaret, was born in 1897.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published 'The Gospel of Wealth'
June 1889

Carnegie's influential essay argued that the rich have a duty to use their fortunes for the good of society.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Homestead Strike at Carnegie Steel
6 July 1892

A violent labor dispute at the Homestead works, managed in Carnegie's absence by Henry Clay Frick, left workers and Pinkerton agents dead and damaged Carnegie's reputation.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Sold Carnegie Steel to J. P. Morgan, forming U.S. Steel
March 1901

The sale for about 480 million dollars created the United States Steel Corporation and made Carnegie one of the world's richest men.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Established the Carnegie Corporation of New York
10 November 1911

Carnegie's largest single philanthropic trust was created to continue his giving; in total he funded some 2,500 public libraries and many educational and peace institutions.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died in Lenox, Massachusetts
11 August 1919

Carnegie died of bronchial pneumonia at his Shadow Brook estate at the age of 83.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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