Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835, in Dunfermline, Scotland. This event marked the beginning of the life of one of the most influential industrialists and philanthropists in American history.

Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist, was born on November 25, 1835.

In 1848, Andrew Carnegie and his family emigrated from Scotland to the United States. This marked a significant turning point in Carnegie's life as he began his journey towards becoming one of the wealthiest and most generous individuals in history.

In 1848, Andrew Carnegie emigrated from Scotland to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He started as a factory worker in a textile mill and later became a successful entrepreneur and industrialist.

In 1849, Andrew Carnegie started working as a messenger, which was a significant step in his early career.

In 1853, Andrew Carnegie starts working at the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he eventually becomes the personal telegrapher and assistant to Thomas Scott. He makes significant contributions to the railroad industry, such as keeping the telegraph office open 24 hours per day and implementing innovative practices after accidents.

In 1855, Andrew Carnegie secured a job as a telegraph messenger boy for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which introduced him to the world of telegraphy and communication technology.

An informant informs Carnegie about an upcoming strike and provides him with a list of labor organizers. Carnegie shares the information with Thomas Scott, who then dismisses the organizers, resulting in the strike being thwarted before it even starts.

Carnegie borrows money from a local bank and invests $217.50 in the Woodruff Sleeping Car Company. After a couple of years, he starts earning an annual return of around $5000, which is more than three times his salary from the railroad.

In 1859, Carnegie is promoted to the position of superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad's western division. This promotion grants him the responsibility of leading his own department and a yearly salary of $1500. He and his mother relocate to the affluent suburb of Homewood.

In 1861, Carnegie assists Thomas Scott in supervising repairs of railroad lines after they were destroyed by Confederate mobs in Maryland. He also takes note of the damaged telegraph lines and stops to repair them. Upon reaching Washington, he collaborates with Scott to organize the railroad and telegraph lines to Virginia.

In 1863, Andrew Carnegie's income amounts to $42,000, with about half of it coming from his investment in oil and the rest from various other sources.

In 1864, Andrew Carnegie is drafted into the Union Army and decides to pay a replacement $850 to serve in his place, feeling that he has done his patriotic duty by supervising telegraph communications.

In 1865, Andrew Carnegie left his position at the Pennsylvania Railroad, signaling a shift in his career towards the steel industry. This move eventually led to the establishment of the Carnegie Steel Company, a pivotal moment in industrial history.

Carnegie establishes the Keystone Telegraph Company with several associates from the railroad, receiving permission from the Pennsylvania Railroad to string telegraph wire across the railroad's poles, which stretch across the entire state. This leads to a successful merger with the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company, resulting in a significant return for Keystone's investors.

In 1868, while staying at the St Nicholas Hotel in New York, Andrew Carnegie wrote a pledge to himself to give away the surplus of his wealth.

Andrew Carnegie co-founds the Keystone Bridge Company, which specializes in manufacturing steel bridges, contributing to the development of infrastructure in the United States.

During a visit to England in 1872, Andrew Carnegie tours Henry Bessemer's steel plants. This visit leads Carnegie to recognize the commercial potential of steel and prompts him to return to America with plans to expand his steel business.

In 1873, Carnegie established the J. Edgar Thomson Steel Works, a major steel manufacturing facility. This marked a significant milestone in his contributions to the steel industry, further solidifying his position as a key figure in the development of steel manufacturing.

In 1875, Andrew Carnegie opens his first steel plant, the Edgar Thomson Works, in Braddock, Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of his significant contributions to the steel industry.

In 1881, Andrew Carnegie returns to Dunfermline, Scotland, accompanied by his mother. During this visit, he donates a library to the town, which becomes his first philanthropic contribution outside of the United States.

In 1883, Andrew Carnegie purchases the Homestead Works, which is a rival mill in Pennsylvania.

While Andrew Carnegie is ill with typhoid, he suffers a relapse upon learning of his brother's death. A month later, his mother dies of pneumonia. To keep Margaret Carnegie's death a secret from her son, her coffin is lowered out of her bedroom window.

In 1887, Andrew Carnegie and Henry Frick have a disagreement over a striking union.

Andrew Carnegie releases 'The Gospel of Wealth,' advocating that the wealthy have a moral duty to act as caretakers for society.

Andrew Carnegie's famous article, 'Wealth,' published in the June 1889 issue of the North American Review, introduced the concept of the Gospel of Wealth. It emphasized the responsibility of the wealthy to use their surplus wealth for the betterment of society through philanthropy.

The union contract at Homestead expired, leading to a strike organized by the workers. The situation escalated when the workers were locked out, and a stand-off ensued between the Pinkerton agents hired by Frick and the workers. The violent confrontation resulted in injuries and marked the end of Carnegie's image as a friend of the worker.

After the United States captures the Philippines from Spain and decides to pay Spain $20 million to purchase the islands, Andrew Carnegie sees this move as imperialist and offers the islands $20 million to purchase their independence.

In 1899, Andrew Carnegie organizes several of his steel companies into Carnegie Steel, marking a significant expansion of his business into the production of finished products, directly competing with J.P. Morgan's interests.

Andrew Carnegie attempts to acquire coke at a reduced price and take over Henry Frick's interest in Carnegie Steel, leading to a legal battle where Frick sues for the market value of his coke, ultimately settled out-of-court.

In March 1901, Andrew Carnegie sold his interests in the Carnegie Steel Co. for over $250 million, marking a significant event in the history of the steel industry and Carnegie's career as an industrialist.

Carnegie founds the Carnegie Institution in 1902 to provide research support for American colleges and universities.

Andrew Carnegie publishes “The Gospel of Wealth,” an influential essay outlining his philosophy on wealth and philanthropy, leaving a lasting impact on economic and social thought.

In 1905, Andrew Carnegie established the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, demonstrating his commitment to education and philanthropy. This foundation has had a lasting impact on the advancement of teaching and learning.

Andrew Carnegie establishes the Carnegie Corporation with his remaining money of about $125,000,000. The corporation is intended to aid colleges, universities, technical schools, and scientific research. This is the last philanthropic trust Carnegie creates, as he has given away 90% of his fortune.

Carnegie buys Shadowbrook, an estate in Massachusetts.

Andrew Carnegie died on August 11, 1919, in Lenox, Massachusetts. He was also one of the most important philanthropists of his era, establishing several trusts, including the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the Carnegie Institution of Washington.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is established, reflecting Andrew Carnegie's enduring legacy in promoting global peace and diplomacy.

Joseph Frazier Wall authored a book about Andrew Carnegie in 1989, offering insights into the life and impact of the industrialist.

A book titled 'The Carnegie Boys: The Lieutenants of Andrew Carnegie that Changed America' was published in 2012, exploring the impact of Andrew Carnegie's associates on the United States.

The Carnegie Birthplace Museum is scheduled to open on March 11, 2024, welcoming visitors for events, group visits, education, and research visits. The museum will operate daily from 11am to 4pm, with the last entry at 3:20pm.