Andrew Carnegie
Born 1835 · Age 190
Scottish-American industrialist who led expansion of the U.S. steel industry and became a major philanthropist, funding libraries, educational and peace institutions and giving away roughly $350M in his lifetime.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Dunfermline, Scotland
Andrew Carnegie born to William and Margaret Carnegie in Dunfermline, Fife.
Family moved to larger house in Edgar Street
Carnegie family moved to a larger house in Dunfermline as his father's weaving business temporarily expanded.
Introduction of steam-powered looms in Dunfermline
Steam looms arrive in Dunfermline; many handloom weavers including Carnegie's father lose work — contributing to family emigration.
Worked for John Hay (bobbin factory) operating steam engine
After initial cotton mill job, Carnegie worked for John Hay tending a small steam engine and boiler for $2.00/week.
First job — bobbin boy in cotton mill
Carnegie began work as a bobbin boy in a Pittsburgh cotton mill, 12 hours/day, 6 days/week; starting wage $1.20 per week.
Emigrated to United States (Allegheny/Pittsburgh)
Carnegie and his family emigrated from Scotland and settled in Allegheny (now part of Pittsburgh), seeking work and better prospects.
Telegraph messenger boy and operator
Hired as a telegraph messenger at the Ohio Telegraph Company for about $2.50/week; within a year promoted to telegraph operator.
Access to Colonel James Anderson's library
Colonel James Anderson opened his library to working boys on Saturdays; Carnegie used it extensively and later cited this as formative for his philanthropy.
Joined Pennsylvania Railroad under Thomas A. Scott
Became private telegrapher/secretary to Thomas A. Scott (Pennsylvania Railroad), learning management and making key connections; reported salary ~$35/month ($4/week referenced in sources).
Invested $500 in Adams Express Company
With help from Thomas Scott, Carnegie invested $500 in Adams Express (secured by a mortgage on family home); early example of using railroad connections for investments.
Early investment in sleeping car company (Woodruff/Pullman)
Carnegie received shares/participation in the Woodruff sleeping car business (later associated with Pullman); became a profitable investment producing substantial returns by late 1850s.
Became superintendent of Western Division, Pennsylvania Railroad
Officially appointed superintendent of the Western Division; brought his brother Tom as secretary; salary $1,500/year.
Appointed Superintendent of Military Railways and telegraph lines (Union)
During the Civil War Scott appointed Carnegie to supervise military railroad and telegraph operations in the East; helped restore lines into Washington and managed transport of troops and supplies.
Invested in Columbia Oil Company (Titusville/Venango County)
Early oil investment; sources say the firm yielded over $1 million in cash dividends in one year (company-level figure).
Left railroad; co-founded Keystone Bridge Company
Carnegie left the Pennsylvania Railroad to organize ironworks/bridge building; Keystone Bridge Company formed (PBS/Encyclopaedia sources point to 1865 formation).
Founded Keystone Telegraph Company
Established Keystone Telegraph Company; secured rights to use Pennsylvania Railroad poles and quickly merged with Pacific & Atlantic Telegraph for a strong return.
Personal pledge to live on $50,000/year
Wrote a letter resolving to limit personal income to $50,000 annually and devote surplus to benevolent causes; planned to resign at 35 and study/literary pursuits.
Visited Bessemer steel plants in England
Observed Bessemer process; decided to expand into large-scale steel production back in the U.S.
Donated swimming pool to Dunfermline
Funded a commodious public swimming-baths for his hometown, continuing his early philanthropic interest in Dunfermline.
Keystone supplied steel for and invested in Eads Bridge
Keystone Bridge (linked to Carnegie) supplied steel and had shares in the Eads Bridge across the Mississippi (completed 1874), a proof-of-concept for steel technology.
Opened Edgar Thomson Steel Works in Braddock
Founded his first major steel plant (named for J. Edgar Thomson); first order was 2,000 steel rails for the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Built public swimming-baths in Dunfermline
Constructed commodious public swimming-baths for the people of his hometown.
Purchased interest in Frick Coke Company
Became an investor/partner in Henry Clay Frick's coke enterprise; initially small stake (~11%) which Carnegie increased over time to a controlling interest (>50%).
Started large-scale Carnegie library program
Between 1883 and the early 20th century Carnegie funded public libraries worldwide; cumulative program resulted in roughly 3,000 libraries in many countries.
Bought Homestead Works (rival mill)
Acquired the Homestead Works, expanding integrated control of steel production, coal, ore, and transport.
Opened first Carnegie Library (Dunfermline)
The first Carnegie-funded public library opened in Dunfermline; became the model for a global program of library philanthropy.
Gift to Bellevue Hospital Medical College (Carnegie Laboratory)
Donated $50,000 to establish a histological laboratory (now called the Carnegie Laboratory) at Bellevue Hospital Medical College (NYU Medical Center).
Published Triumphant Democracy
Authored Triumphant Democracy (1886), praising American republicanism and criticizing the British monarchy; high sales and controversy in UK.
Death of brother Thomas Carnegie
Carnegie's younger brother Thomas died at age 43 in 1886; a personal family loss during Carnegie's business expansion.
Death of mother Margaret Carnegie
Margaret Carnegie died of pneumonia; event affected Carnegie personally and his timing for marriage.
Married Louise Whitfield
Andrew Carnegie married Louise Whitfield in a small, private ceremony at the Whitfield home.
Johnstown Flood and South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club controversy
As a member of the exclusive South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, Carnegie was associated with other tycoons blamed for the failure of the dam that caused the Johnstown Flood (2,209 deaths).
Published 'Wealth' (The Gospel of Wealth)
Essay 'Wealth' (June 1889, North American Review) promoted the responsibility of the rich to give back; published in Britain as 'The Gospel of Wealth'.
U.S. steel output surpassed UK; Carnegie major owner
By 1889–1890 U.S. output of steel exceeded that of the UK, and Carnegie controlled a large portion of U.S. output through his integrated operations.
Carnegie Hall opened in New York City
Funded and built the music performance venue Carnegie Hall, which opened in 1891 and remained in the family until 1925.
Homestead Strike, a violent labor conflict
The Homestead Strike at the Homestead Works turned into a bloody showdown with Pinkerton agents and militia; the 143-day confrontation severely damaged Carnegie's public image on labor despite his public pro-union rhetoric.
Consolidated assets into Carnegie Steel Company
Combined large steel interests into the Carnegie Steel Company (consolidation often dated to 1892), creating one of the largest integrated steel producers.
Public relations fallout from Homestead Strike (long-term reputational milestone)
The Homestead events and Carnegie's absence during the crisis (he was in Scotland) permanently affected public perception of his labor stance and philanthropy-versus-practices narrative.
Founded the Carnegie Institute (Carnegie Museums/Institute of Pittsburgh)
Established the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh (arts, museums, scientific education) as part of his civic philanthropy in Pittsburgh.
Joined American Anti-Imperialist League
Formally joined the League opposing U.S. annexation of overseas territories after the Spanish–American War.
Attempted to purchase Philippine independence ($20M offer)
Opposed U.S. annexation of the Philippines after the Spanish–American War; personally offered $20 million to buy independence for the islands (no deal).
Organized several steel interests into consolidated Carnegie Steel (company maturation)
Late-1890s reorganization and consolidation of many of Carnegie's iron and steel businesses into the modern Carnegie Steel enterprise (process culminated by 1899–1901).
Donated £50,000 to help establish University of Birmingham
Contributed a major sum to help found and support the University of Birmingham in England (1899).
Founded Carnegie Institute of Technology (Carnegie Tech / later CMU)
Gave $2,000,000 to start the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh (later Carnegie Mellon University after merger).
Reported profits of Carnegie Steel ($40M) and Carnegie's share
In 1900 Carnegie Steel (as a corporation) reportedly made profits of about $40,000,000; Carnegie's share reported as ~$25,000,000 for that year (sources vary).
Alternative reported sale figure to Morgan ($480M)
Some sources (e.g., PBS/Britannica narratives) report the sale/transaction figure cited contemporaneously as ~$480,000,000 and Carnegie's personal proceeds commonly reported at ~$250,000,000.
Signed letter agreeing to sell steel holdings
Signed the agreement to sell his steel interests to J. P. Morgan as part of the formation of United States Steel; the letter dated Feb 26, 1901 put sale negotiations into effect.
Sale to J. P. Morgan and formation of U.S. Steel
Carnegie's steel enterprises were incorporated into the United States Steel Corporation. Sources vary: Encyclopedia/Wikipedia cite $303,450,000 buyout; some contemporary/secondary sources cite ~$480,000,000. The company was the first with market cap over $1 billion.
Deed establishing Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
Signed the deed (June 7, 1901) creating the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland; the Trust was incorporated by royal charter Aug 21, 1902.
Elected Lord Rector of University of St. Andrews
Elected Lord Rector in December 1901; formally installed October 1902 and served until 1907.
Condition on gifts: secular requirement for church schools
Established policies for several fundings that church-related schools must sever religious ties to receive Carnegie funds (a notable philanthropic condition affecting many institutions).
Established the Carnegie Institution (for science research)
Donated approximately $2,000,000 in 1902 to create the Carnegie Institution in Washington, D.C., to support scientific research and discovery.
Founded Carnegie Dunfermline Trust
Established the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust to benefit his birthplace with parks, libraries and local institutions (foundation around 1903).
Donated for Peace Palace and Pan‑American Palace
Contributed $1.5M (1903) toward construction of the Peace Palace in The Hague and $150,000 for a Pan‑American Palace in Washington.
Founded the Carnegie Hero Fund
Established the Carnegie Hero Fund for the United States and Canada (1904) to recognize civilian heroism; later expanded to several European countries.
Carnegie Hero Fund medal (institutional recognition established)
The Carnegie Hero Fund (and associated medals/awards) recognized civilian heroism; became an international model (expanded to many European countries in following years).
Established teachers' pension fund (later TIAA roots)
Established a large pension fund for American college professors in 1905 (endowment reported as $10,000,000), which evolved into part of TIAA‑CREF.
Funded Simplified Spelling movement
Provided about $25,000/year to the movement for simplified spelling and supported the Simplified Spelling Board and its Handbook (early 20th century support).
Published Problems of To-day
Published the book Problems of To-day (1908), a collection on social and economic topics.
Founded Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Created the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (commonly dated 1910) to promote information and institutions for peace and diplomacy.
Set up long-term giving vehicle and trusteeship
Transferred charge of his existing and future benefactions (other than university benefactions) to the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust and to the Carnegie Corporation to manage continuing philanthropy.
Major donation to Carnegie Institution for Hooker Telescope work
Became a key benefactor of George Ellery Hale's Mount Wilson work, donating an additional $10M to the Carnegie Institution to support the 100-inch Hooker Telescope project.
Founded Carnegie Corporation of New York
Established the Carnegie Corporation (1911) 'to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding' to continue philanthropic giving after death; cited remaining funds ~ $125M.
Peace Palace (The Hague) opened
Peace Palace, largely financed by Carnegie (donations earlier), officially opened in 1913 as a home for international judicial bodies.
Donated $10M to endow Carnegie United Kingdom Trust
Transferred charge of most of his UK benefactions to the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust, endowing it with $10,000,000 in 1913.
Purchased Shadowbrook estate (Massachusetts)
Acquired the Shadowbrook estate in Lenox, Massachusetts, which became his final summer residence (some sources record purchase around 1916).
Initiated as honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Honored on Oct 14, 1917 as an honorary member for his philanthropic support of music and the arts.
Hooker Telescope first light
The 100-inch Hooker Telescope (Mount Wilson) saw first light on Nov 2, 1917; Carnegie had funded the work through the Carnegie Institution.
Final philanthropic distribution after death
After Carnegie's death his remaining ~$30,000,000 was distributed to foundations, charities and pensioners (final major distributions concluded his program of giving away ~90% of his fortune).
Death at Shadowbrook (Lenox, Massachusetts)
Died of bronchial pneumonia at his Shadowbrook estate on August 11, 1919; by death he had given away approximately $350,695,653 and left about $30M to be distributed after his death.
Autobiography published (posthumous)
Carnegie's Autobiography was published posthumously in 1920, collecting his reflections on business, philanthropy and life.
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